They're known as 'rooters;' and are believed to be responsible for the vandal attack at Burscough's Abbey Lane recycling centre earlier this month.

A machine originally worth around £160,000 was destroyed after being torched at the site in the early hours of Sunday, 14 August.

On worker there spoke of the times they are on site early to put up signs, etc. when they hear voices from the skips.

"We call them the 'rooters' and they are after stuff to sell at the car boot sales. We don't know if they set the machine alight because we crush lots of dumped items they are after."

The damaged machine has now been removed and replaced by another one.