A HEREFORDSHIRE cider maker has become the latest victim of the rising tide of Land Rover thefts.

A Defender model owned by the Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry Company was stolen while parked at the Yew Tree Inn, Peterstow, which is where the firm is based.

The vehicle was used to make deliveries around the area.

Albert Johnson, one of the company directors, said: "Our insurance will arrange a hire car for us, but it will be a hatchback so it won't exactly have the same functionality!"

Last year Insurer NFU Mutual said claims for costs resulting from stolen Defender vehicles have risen 14 per cent since the last car rolled off the production line in early 2016.

Farmers and rural businesses are finding the iconic vehicles stripped of parts such as bonnets and doors, or stolen altogether.

NFU Mutual agricultural vehicle specialist Clive Harris said thieves were deploying a range of tactics to feed demand for 4x4s from organised criminal gangs operating around the world.

Mr Johnson asks anyone who spots his firm's Land Rover, registration number S426 UOW, to contact the police.