THIEVES raided Westonbirt Arboretum and made off with £10,000-worth of equipment, including the entire collection of chainsaws needed to maintain the 600-acre site.

This is the second time the arboretum has been raided this year.

In February, £6,500 worth of tools were taken in a similar raid.

Westonbirt entered into a sponsorship deal two weeks later with Stihl Power Tools, which replaced all the stolen items with brand new ones. It is those valuable pieces of equipment that are now missing.

Due to the fact that the arboretum is a Government organisation, there is no insurance for the goods and the cost of replacing them will have to come out of its already tight budget.

Director John Weir said the arboretum would suffer unless the chainsaws were returned.

"We are all deeply upset and disappointed at what has happened," he said.

"These are a hugely expensive, specialised power tools that were given to us in good faith for the upkeep and maintenance of one of the most beautiful sites in the country.

"Our tree team is now unable to do its job and, as we are going into autumn, this is an extremely important time of year for maintaining the plants and to prepare for the winter and for the coming spring."

The raid is believed to have involved a large white van and taken place between 9pm and 9.30pm on Tuesday, September 12.

In the meantime, The Friends of Westonbirt will help with the cost of tools and the building they were in.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.