SOLAR panels worth around £10,000 have been stolen from a Hampshire farm.

The panels, which had just been unpacked ahead of being installed, were taken from a solar farm in Tanners Lane, Fareham.

Thieves took 24 of the hi-tech devices from Newlands Farm, the site of a major new installation.

They had been removed from storage boxes before they were taken sometime between 4.30pm on March 22 and 7am on March 23.

Officers are appealing for any information about the whereabouts of the panels and also for any witnesses who may seen any suspicious vehicles in the Tanners Lane area overnight.

As reported, scaled-down plans for the controversial farm were given the go ahead last year.

German firm Vogt Solar was given the nod by planning chiefs to install 3,649 panels on 28 hectares of farmland between Fareham and Stubbington.

The scheme will generate enough power for around 5,200 homes.

Anyone with information about the theft asked to call PC Geoff Cole 101 at Park Gate police station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.