An HGV trailer which was stolen from a north-east seafood factory has been found abandoned at a motorway service station in England.
The £100,000 container was carrying more than 11 tonnes of unprocessed prawns when it was taken from Laeso Fish in Peterhead on Sunday night.
Detectives investigating the highly unusual theft have confirmed that the trailer has been found, empty, in the Bolton area.
Police are also looking for anybody with any information about a white or silver Volkswagen Golf which they believe could be connected to the crime. It was seen in the area at the time and subsequently seen in convoy with the lorry, travelling to and from the north-east corner.
Detective Constable Julie Wilson said: “If anybody recognises the description of the trailer or the tractor unit and believes they may have seen it travelling in and around the Aberdeenshire area late on Sunday night and possibly into the early hours of Monday morning, they are urged to get in touch with us.”
She said: “It is understood that both the tractor unit and the white or silver Volkwagen Golf may have travelled from England and are likely to have used service stations both north and south.
“If anybody believes they have seen either of these vehicles in convoy or believes they may have seen them in the Aberdeenshire area at the time of the theft then we would ask that they contact us on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”