BURGLARS ransacked a community farm shop and stole cash on in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Staff at River Bourne Community Farm were alerted by a neighbouring allotment holder that there had been a break-in.

They arrived to find windows and doors forced open and money stolen.

Farm chairman Ben Parker said: "It is a sad day for all of us at the farm.

"The thieves have caused substantial damage, kicking in doors and trashing the farm shop and have stolen cash from the office.

"It is particularly annoying as there is usually very little cash kept on the farm but we had intended to buy our stocks of animal feed the next day and this is the money that was stolen.

"We will certainly not be keeping any money at all at the farm in the future.

"What is worse is the damage caused to doors and locks which will cost hundreds of pounds to replace."

The farm’s CCTV system has picked up two burglars and the footage has been passed to the police.

Since details of the robbery were posted on social media, supporters have been offering donations to help put the farm back together.

To help visit riverbournecommunityfarm.org.uk

Jane Wilkinson, Farm Office Manager said: "We have been here for five years with very little trouble and whilst it was really horrible to see what those idiots had done to the farm, incidents like this are very rare."