POLICE are hunting thieves who struck at the Abraham Moon clothing store in the Courtyard, Settle, snatching a quantity of high value clothing.

North Yorkshire police say a suspect white van was seen in the area at about 8.50pm on Monday and are appealing for people who may have seen it at that time to come forward.

Shop manager, Susan Giles said no exact value of the goods taken - mostly high quality clothing, throws and curtains - could be reported at this time.

"We are now busy making an audit of the items which have gone so at this time we can't make an accurate account of the stock taken,” she said.

The theft has come just three days before Abraham Moon open a new store in a four storey listed building in Stonegate York.

It is to be opened on tomorrow evening by Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire.

Anyone with information about the theft should telephone 101 and quote incident 44.