THE chairman of a Leominster cricket club which is working hard to keep the sport in the town said members were left 'gutted' when thieves struck last week.

Members of Dales Cricket Club discovered that a large fridge and alcohol had been stolen from their pavilion sometime between 5pm on May 21 and 7pm on May 23.

Locks and lights were smashed in the process and members believe the Coolpoint HX 200 192 was taken across the pitch before being carried over a fence.

Ian Jones, Chairman of Dales Cricket Club, said: "We were absolutely gutted. There's only a small band of us and we are the last club in Leominster and we try really hard to keep cricket in the town.

"We started a junior section earlier this year as well and there is a demand for it so hopefully that will go from strength to strength.

"The intention is to keep them going so we have got a few to take through to the senior team.”

The pavilion building has been in place for around seven years but it has been an ongoing process to get it up and running due to funding.

This year’s project was to get the bar in place.

However, CCTV and an alarm system will now have to be installed which is expected to cost between £1,500 and £2,000.

The total cost of the break-in – combining the cost of the stolen equipment and the damage caused – was around £750.

“That has to come from somewhere else. It will take a few years to get back to where we were. It's just so annoying,” said Mr Jones.

“Some people have said they will get together and raise some money.

"Leominster is a close-knit community anyway and anything that goes wrong, people step in to raise money.

"We have had quite a few people say they would donate. It brings back faith in people and that there are more good people out there than people who just help themselves.”

Anyone that can help with donations can contact reporter Jess Phillips on 01432 845884.