PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC: Police in the western Czech border town of Cheb have launched an investigation into the theft of a four-tonne railway bridge.

"We are not sure if it was taken for personal use or for its scrap value," police spokeswoman Martina Hruskova told AFP. "It is the first time we have dealt with this type of theft."

The company charged with looking after the bridge, which was on a disused stretch of track near the town, raised the alarm, Hruskova said.