The incident occurred at CJ Lang’s Longtown Road distribution centre on Tuesday morning.

A man in a white goods van, which was towing a refrigerating unit, arrived at the centre at 11.50am, loaded up with bottles of lager and then drove off with his haul.

Staff at the centre only discovered they had been robbed when the real driver turned up at 1.15pm.

Police investigating the audacious robbery have issued a description of the man responsible and are reviewing CCTV footage.

A spokesman for the Force said, “We are investigating a theft from a distribution depot.

“At about 11.50 the vehicle arrived at the premises, loaded up with lager and driven off.

“We are carrying out inquiries into the theft and that includes a review of public and private CCTV.

“Anyone with information or who is offered cut-price or cheap lager should contact us on 0845 600 5705,” he added.

The thief is said to be in his mid 30s to mid 40s, of stocky build and has short, dark brown hair.

He was wearing a dark jumper with light horizontal strip across the chest, light blue jeans and black shoes or boots.

He was driving a large white goods van towing a refrigerating unit and was last seen driving along Longtown Street.

It is understood that one CJ Lang employee has been suspended while the company reviews its security procedures.

Phillipe Rondepierre, business development controller with CJ Lang, said, “We do not wish to comment pending the outcome of the police investigation.”