Cricket club left stumped

Thieves have jeopardised the start of the cricket season for a village club near Kidderminster after stealing two pitch mowers worth more than £6,000.

The thieves forced the locks on the storage building of Chaddesley Corbett Sports Club in Longmore in the village.

They then managed to start up the engines to two cricket mowers, worth £3,000 each.

The mowers were pushed onto a trailer or van and driven away along with a small rotary mower worth around £100.

Members of the sports club have been left stunned by the theft. And with the start of the cricket season looming in April it could not have come at a worse time.

Police want to speak to a man seen in the village last Thursday who was driving a small white van with the word Escort written on the side.

Club treasurer David Yardley said: "It could not have come at a worst time.

"We use the mowers to keep the wicket in shape and now we are going to have to ask for help from other clubs like Stone. We worked hard to fundraise and buy the mowers and someone just comes along and swipes them. Its a real choker."

Anyone with information should call 08457 444888.