BOTTLES of ‘distinctive’ wine were stolen during a burglary at a Greasby wine bar.

Police were called to Ellies Restaurant and Wine Bar at around 9am on Wednesday, April 1, by a member of staff reporting that the premises had been broken into.

It is believed the burglars forced their way into the building sometime between 12.30am and 9am that day.

Once inside, they searched the building before escaping with a large quantity of wine, spirits, food and a satellite television box.

Crime scene investigators have examined the scene and CCTV from the opportunities from the area are being explored.

Sergeant Tim Cottrell said: “This is a local business which has worked hard to build up its trade and it's really sad that some people think it's acceptable to steal from them.

"We are now working hard to bring those responsible to justice and I would appeal to anyone who has information about this incident to get in touch.”

"In particular, the bottles of wine which were stolen are only sold in restaurants, not over the counter, and as a result are pretty distinctive.  They include Angels Flight White Zinfandel, Drakensberg Chenin Blanc, Las Manitos Viognier and Monastier Shiraz.

"We think they were carried out of the building in bins, then loaded into some kind of van and I would urge anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area in the early hours of Wednesday, 1 April to get in touch.  I'd also appeal to anyone who thinks they may have been offered any of the wine or spirits for sale to contact us as soon as possible."

Anyone with information can contact officers in the Wirral on 0151 777 2041 quoting reference 0515061851 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.