Farmers and builders are being warned about a big rise in equipment thefts that's being likened to the 'Wild West'.

Machinery worth a record £43 million was stolen in the UK last year, a rise of 20% on 2004 - with the theft of tractors up by 70% and quad bikes by 62%.

However, the National Plant and Equipment Register's (TER) 2006 Equipment Theft Report found excavators were the most common tool to be taken - 1,169 were stolen last year. They're mainly used by criminals targeting bank cash points and vans transporting money.

TER spokesman Tim Purbrick said:

"In many ways, parts of the plant and equipment industry are like the Wild West of old."