A COMPANY on the "verge" of moving into new premises has been rocked twice in as many days by green-fingered thieves who have stolen the ground beneath staff's feet.

Mortgage and Investment Facility Ltd is moving from its current Chorley New Road base to the former youth hostel on Westgate Avenue, off Park Road.

Extensive renovations have been carried out both inside and out, and last weekend the finishing touches were made when a new lawn was put down.

However, thieves struck immediately, stripping the garden bare.

Disappointed but undeterred, staff laid another lawn. But within a day that too had been stolen.

Receptionist Doreen Riley said: "We could not believe it.

"It is annoying, inconvenient and has cost us money.

"The first time it happened was upsetting, but the second was quite heartbreaking.

"We had hoped the renovations we are doing to the building would help improve the area, but this has taken the shine off the move for us.

"You spend money to do your best and people then go and do something like this."

The company, a mortgage brokers, moves at the end of the week into the new premises and looks set to try again with the lawn.

Doreen added: "We will probably give it another go, although cast iron looks a safer bet."

The thefts have been reported to the police and anyone who has any information to help the investigation is asked to contact them on 0161 872 5050, or the company on 455500.

Doreen said: "Some of the neighbours must have seen something, and we would appeal to them to come forward."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.