Chinese officials say they've detected nearly ten thousand cases of electricity theft in the north-eastern province of Liaoming during a special investigation over the past two months.

Officials estimate that the theft, mostly by industry, had cost China millions of dollars in lost revenues and production.

The thieves usually altered meter-readings or illegally tapped power lines to run electricity to their premises.

The BBC Beijing correspodent says the electricity theft across the country is hindering government efforts to revive the economy.