AN ESTIMATED £60,000 worth of items were stolen from a Churchfields showroom last week. 

Burglars stole dozens of stoves and vandalised the interior of Dinghams Direct Ltd’s at Paxton Business Centre, on the evenng of Friday, March 3.

David Hardingham and his sister Sarah, who run the business, first became aware that something was amiss when they were alerted that their door was open early the following morning.

David said: “They basically jimmied in the front door.”

After the burglary was discovered, CCTV from a neighbouring business was examined and an unmarked white van was seen entering and leaving the area between approximately 6.45pm and 7.30pm.

David said the van appears to be unloaded when it enters and loaded down when it leaves.

Forty woodburning and multifuel stoves were stolen, which David said would have weighed around three tonnes, and amount to a total value of £60,000.

David said: “They also caused damage to the showroom itself by spraying foam from a fire extinguisher.”

David said Dinghams Direct Ltd is asking for everyone to be on the lookout for stoves from suspicious places.

David said: “We just want people to keep an ear out for stoves that have been stolen.”

He added that the stoves stolen were brand new, so would be unlike most things sold in online platforms such as Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace, and the items will carry no warranty.

Wiltshire Police was contacted for more information.