A STOLEN car was found abandoned in a ditch in North Yorkshire.

The grey Mercedes A Class was stolen from a property in Ingramgate in Thirsk after burglars broke into the house and stole the car keys, North Yorkshire Police said.

The car subsequently crashed into a ditch near Thirsk on the road that leads to the village of Felixkirk from Sutton Road, the force added. This was reported by a passing motorist at 7am on Tuesday morning, however, the occupants of the car had left the scene by that time, the force said.

Police believe the people inside the crashed car were helped out of it by a third party.

Officers are appealing to anyone who may have assisted at the scene of the crash, witnessed the collision, saw the aftermath of the collision or saw any suspicious activity in the Ingramgate area of Thirsk to contact them.

Phone North Yorkshire Police on 101. Quote reference 12180140088.