A BUILDER is offering a “substantial” reward for the return of work tools and equipment stolen from an isolated cottage on Meltham Moor.

The items were stolen from West Nab Cottage, Wessendenhead Road, Meltham, where self-employed builder Stephen Senior is renovating the property, a former Victorian hunting lodge.

The thieves struck between Thursday night and yesterday morning. They used cutting gear to get into storage containers to steal a number of hand tools. They also took bigger items including a cement mixer, an electricity generator and a chain saw.

Mr Senior, 40, who lives at Slaithwaite, said the loss of the equipment worth up to £5,000 meant he now had to halt work on the renovation project.

“I was just getting the shell of the building ready for the roof to go on,” he said. “I’ve had to get planning permission from the Peak Park for the work. The aim is to restore the hunting lodge to its former glory as a base for outdoor pursuits such as mountain biking.”

Mr Senior said he was offering a substantial reward for information leading to the return of the equipment.

Contact Huddersfield police on 0845 6060606.