READY meals being sold on the black market could hold the key to finding thieves who broke in to a Worcestershire farm shop.

As previously reported in your Worcester News thieves broke into Roots in Rushwick, near Worcester, trashed the shop.

They also stole £1,000 of stock.

Now South Worcestershire police are urging people not to buy food offered to them in suspicious circumstances.

Investigating officer Verity Farr said: “Some of the items stolen are easily identifiable and anyone who comes across them under unusual circumstances should contact police as it could lead to information on those responsible.”

The stolen items include 80 ready meals, all manufactured by a company called Cook and packaged in white plastic containers with clear film lids, and brown cardboard sleeves.

Six to eight bottles of Greggs Pit Herefordshire Perry Flakey Barn 2006, each on a rectangular gold plate with cellophane over, were also taken along with a large number of Teme Valley sausages, Adeys bacon and Dairy House cheeses.

The break-in at the store in Rushwick happened between 5.30pm on Monday and 7am on Wednesday.

Anyone with information should call police on 0300 333 3000, quoting 92-S-251108.