A FARMER, who was left devastated after a much-loved tractor was stolen, is pleased that it has been discovered in a village near Louth.

John Smith, of A W Smith and Son Ltd of Belchford had appealed to the public for help after his £90,000 blue New Holland TVT 170 was stolen on July 24. The tractor is possibly the only one if its type in the UK and is so unique, it features on a village sign.

The tractor had been unhitched from a heavy duty trailer, driven out of a building and crashed through the farm's fences and gates.

After weeks of thinking the tractor was long gone and in another country, police discovered the stolen tractor when they were called to a storage yard on Little Grimsby Lane in Fotherby shortly before 6pm on Thursday. Police were called following reports of suspicious vehicles and activity at the location. Officers discovered a foreign registered lorry containing two stolen tractors, including the one which was stolen from Glebe Farm.

A 45-year-old Turkish man was arrested and a police spokesman said he has been released on bail pending further investigation.

Farmer John Smith said: "It is fantastic that it has been found but there are a lot of farmers in the county who haven't had their stolen tractors returned. It is important that the public remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, especially if they see tractors on continental lorries.

"With continued support from the public, they can help the police combat the organised rings who are stealing tractors from the county which has been devastating to many farmers."

Tractor thefts are one of the most increasing rural crimes to hit the county this year. A few days after Mr Smith's tractor was stolen, a John Deere tractor was also taken from a farm in Biscathorpe.

The county is still being targeted with thefts with police in the south of the county investigating a tractor theft from Gedney Drove End on Monday.

DS Harwood from Louth CID is appealing for witnesses to come forward who have any information about storage yard at Fotherby or anyone who has seen any unusual activity there over recent weeks.

Anyone with information should contact Louth Police Station on 0300 111 0300 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

FOUND: The New Holland TVT 170 tractor, which features on the Belchford village sign, above, was stolen from a farm in Belchford, it has been discovered at a storage yard in Fotherby.