Aircraft hangar stolen from North Weald airfield

Half of the hangar's components were stolen before it could be built at North Weald airfield

Half an aircraft hangar has been stolen from an Essex airfield, leaving police baffled a month on from the haul.

More than 12 tonnes of dismantled building components, which were 156ft (44m) long and 45ft (14m) wide, were in storage at North Weald Airfield museum.

Essex Police said the stolen hangar parts have the name "Frisomat" stamped on each component.

Airfield chief John Havers said: "I thought I was going to faint on the road when I found out it was gone."

"I thought, this can't be true, this can't be happening. I never thought anyone would steal something so large."

Mr Havers and his fellow directors had paid £30,000 for the hangar, which would have been worth £100,000 when built, he told BBC Essex.

It is believed the hangar was stolen on 4 or 5 November and was reported to the police at the time, but they have been unable to find any of the stolen parts.

The galvanised metal components are each printed with the name "Frisomat"