The tasty cargo was taken on Tuesday after the driver stopped for two men who waved a number plate at him, making him think it had fallen from his lorry.

When the driver got out of the truck to check its rear side, one offender jumped into the cabin and drove away as his accomplice made off by car.

Staffordshire Police are appealing for witnesses to the theft near Lichfield.

The articulated lorry - a maroon Volvo - was taken at about 0600 GMT from a lay-by on the A38, close to Swinfen Hall.

The vehicle is owned by a company from Rotherham and is valued at �70,000.

The car the offenders used is thought to be a blue Rover.