Christmas was almost ruined for thousands of children when thieves used a forklift to steal more than six tonnes of lollies from a Toffee Smith's warehouse last month.

The lollies, worth thousands of Euros, included liquorice allsorts, wine gums, mini-rolls, toffees, chocolates, jelly babies and gum teeth, a Dewsbury Reporter newspaper report said.

Detective sergeant Steve Wogan said thieves opened a door, reversed a wagon in and loaded it up using a forklift from inside the premises on December 18.

Toffee Smith's owner Gary Wilkinson said he had had to order more confectionery in time for Christmas. He said he had previously erected false signage to discourage "sweet-toothed young thieves", but believed it was not children this time.