BURGLARS made off with nearly £5,000 worth of cigarettes after evading nearly every security measure to raid an Ulverston garage.

Police said they suspected professional burglars were behind the Monday night break-in at the Canal Head Services after an alarm, security lights and CCTV were all disabled.

Insp Richard Vernon of Ulverston Police said the gang had got in through the roof using a section of aluminium ladder to climb-up and remove roofing slates. A piece of carpet was also found on the scene which police suspect was used to deaden the sound of falling slates.

Once inside the burglars took cash and the Texaco garage's entire stock of cigarettes from the shop and its store room.

They also tried and failed to crack a safe before breaking down a door to make their escape.

"This smacks of a well-organised job," said Insp Vernon. "We would ask anyone to contact us if they have seen anything suspicious at the garage on Monday night or seen any vehicles parked there.

"We would also like anyone who has lost a section of ladder to get in touch or who is offered cigarettes in suspicious circumstances."

Anyone with information can contact Ulverston Police on 01229-824532 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800-555-111.