THIEVES escaped empty-handed after trying to steal thousands of pounds of cheese and dairy products from a local business.

The burglars struck at Tower Farms near Lydeard St Lawrence in the early hours of last Tuesday morning.

After failing to break-in by smashing a window, they forced open a door just before 3am.

Once inside, they found the keys to a delivery van and had started loading it with produce before they were disturbed and fled.

Police appealed for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area at the time to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.