A BUILDERS merchant from York has stepped in to help a BBC show.

Thieves broke into the Mercedes Sprinter van of a volunteer taking part in DIY SOS which was parked in Main Street, Bilton, East Yorkshire, overnight on Wednesday, and stole tools worth £4,000.

Sergeant Neil Taylor from Humberside Police said: "The kind-hearted victim had filled his van and was going to volunteer to help the team from the BBC television programme ‘DIY SOS’ in Hessle.

"He was offering to do his bit for the community and someone has now taken his tools. We want to try and get them back to him so he can help out with the building project. Please call us with any information you may have in relation to this."

Presenter of the show, Nick Knowles, took to social media to criticise the thieves, saying they did not represent the local community and he was disappointed that prosecutions had little effect in many cases.

On Friday, Ainsley Murray, deputy general manager of Selco in York, read about the theft and organised some support for the show.

Ainsley said: "We are incredibly proud to be supporting the community, as well as a fellow tradesman in his time of need.

"On Thursday, I attended the site when we had to get some emergency materials to site and we were able to get it sorted and materials there within 90 minutes despite the 45 minute travel."

Anyone with information on the theft should phone Humberside Police on 101 quoting reference 16/43925/18.