THIEVES left a trail of destruction after smashing their way into a storage cabin used by driving instructors.

They stole items including a gazebo, stepladders, a portable gas fire, and hi-vis vests after breaking into the Chorley Street unit — which is used by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

The thieves also targeted a former council building next door and smashed a window in an attempt to get in.

Roy Sammons, chairman of the IAM in Bolton, was shocked after returning to the cabin and finding it smashed up with items strewn everywhere.

He said: "They have clearly found the equipment that was worth stealing and then could not get it out of the hole they made.

"So they smashed the door and the locks to get them open.

"The break-in was probably just done out of curiosity, to see what was in there.

"It is annoying. What they have taken is stuff we use for publicity purposes.

"It is not the end of the world but now all the remaining things are in members' houses and it is an inconvenience."

Mr Sammons said the cabin was "beyond economic repair" and estimated the cost of replacing the stolen goods to be about £600.

The IAM instructors now meet at a car park in Deane Road ahead of Sunday sessions, having previously used Chorley Street before it closed.

The raid was first noticed when Mr Sammons was driving in Chorley Street on April 18 and thought the cabin was "leaning".

The damage has not been repaired yet as the group assesses whether it is worthwhile making an insurance claim.

Mr Sammons said none of the items had any distinguishing features, other than the red gazebo, which had white Velcro straps at the top to secure IAM banners.

No CCTV cameras captured the incident and no witnesses have come forward yet to assist police. No arrests have been made.

A police spokesman said: "Offenders have gained entry to a portacabin by using an unknown instrument to smash the side panel of the building.

"An untidy search of the place has been done and they used force to smash the locks off the door from the inside to make off with the items."

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 8565619 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.