POLICE believe a woman may hold the key to recovering a builder's tool stolen from Ilminster on Tuesday.

The orange and white stonecutter, weighing around 10kg, was taken in broad daylight from Ditton Street, near the junction with Market Square, where builders are widening the pavements for a new one-way system.

Police say a woman told the construction workers she had seen a young man pick up the tool and put it at the front of a van before entering a nearby building.

PC John Martin, of Ilminster police, said: "We have no means of contacting that woman and would appeal for her to come forward, or for any other witnesses."

Anybody with information about the theft should contact Ilminster police on 0845-4567000 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.