BANBURY: Metal thieves have stolen historic aluminium gates from a former factory that helped build parts for Spitfires during the Second World War.

Police said the gates were taken from the former Alcan site in Southam Road sometime around last Wednesday.

Pc Daniel Hopkins, from Banbury police station, said: “The gates are unique and of historic interest to the victim and they have been cut up on the floor and parts removed for scrap.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101.