STAFF at North Wiltshire District Council are baffled how thieves managed to walk off with £6,500 worth of computers and other hi-tech gear.

The theft was discovered when staff arrived for work on Monday morning at the new headquarters in Monkton Park.

Items had been stolen from across the offices and the haul included laptop computers, cameras, mobile phones and a computer mouse.

A council spokesman said: "There was no visible sign of how they got in, no damage, and we only realised it had happened when people found things were missing."

The multi-million pound building has its own security system, which was not activated by the break in.

PC Andy Fortune, of Chippenham police, said the incident was being investigated.

Anyone with information can call Chippenham police on (01249) 65455.