Laboratory equipment worth £18,000 was among items stolen during a burglary at a South Worcestershire veterinary practice.

Computers and printers worth a total of £1,350, plus £200 in cash, were also taken from Stocks Veterinary Centre, in New Street, Upton-upon-Severn, between 9.30pm on Thursday, August 14, and 7am yesterday.

Partner Jo Hammett said: “Specialist replacement equipment will have to come from Holland, so we expect it will take something like a week to get back to near normal operationally.

“While that is reasonably easy to replace, the computers contained complex herd health plans and will have to be re-inputted, which will take a great deal of time and is very tedious.”

Mrs Hammett said the specialist equipment would be of interest to “only someone who has wide veterinary knowledge and could easily find its way abroad for re-sale to a less scrupulous member of the profession.”

South Worcestershire Police are appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious at or near the premises between the times to come forward to help with enquiries.

They also urge members of the public - and particularly those with a specialist interest in animals and veterinary work - to be extremely wary if offered equipment from an unusual source.

Anyone with information should call police 08457 444 888, quoting 85S/150808.

Information can also be given - anonymously and free-of-charge - to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.