A burglar left behind a severed finger when he broke into a builder's yard, police said today.

The would-be thief is believed to have sliced off the digit on razor wire as he climbed into the Elliotts Builders Merchants in Newgate Lane, Fareham, Hampshire, on Tuesday night.

It is the second time the premises have been raided this week with hundreds of pounds worth of goods being stolen on Sunday.

The remains of the finger, which was all skin and nail with no bone, was found by a mechanic at neighbouring Newgate Motor Services.

A police spokeswoman called on any witnesses or anyone with information to contact Fareham police on 0845 0454545 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.