CHARITY workers restoring a Newton Abbot beauty spot were heartbroken to find their works depot had been broken into and £1,200 worth of equipment had been stolen or damaged.

Members of the Stover Canal Trust described it as a ‘bitter blow’ to a small charity that is working to improve a historic corner of the town.

The trust’s work party coordinator, Brian Till, said: ‘We left the depot and on our return found the damage to the locks on the gate and the containers.

‘Two generators and a plate compactor, together with three wheelbarrows, were taken.

‘The plate compactor and one wheelbarrow were found in the canal not far from the depot.

‘Both were damaged beyond repair and we were told by a regular walker that the items had been there since the Tuesday or Wednesday.’

Trust chairman, John Pike, said: ‘Since the early days of the original society, management of the local clay company, Sibelco, have generously allowed us to use a small corner of their land to store equipment.

‘Over the years we have purchased various items of equipment, together with old shipping containers in which to store them.

‘While the stolen and damaged items are covered by insurance, the amount we hope to receive leaves a huge shortfall in the replacement costs we will have to find.

‘This is a bitter blow to a small charity which is also facing a big rise in accountants fees for the preparation of our annual accounts.’

Management committee chairman, Rob Harris, said: ‘The matter has been reported to the police but the scene of the burglary is relatively remote and no witnesses have come forward.

‘While the depot was secured, we naively thought the likelihood of anyone stealing from a local charity wishing to benefit the local population was small.

‘Volunteers feel deeply saddened and betrayed by this event.

Any member of the public who might have information about the burglary is asked to contact the police on 111 quoting crime number 50220057161.’