THOUSANDS of pounds' worth of garden equipment has been stolen from a Kidderminster showroom, clearing out the store's entire stock of some lines.

Power Equipment Services, of Stourport Road, suffered a break-in during Sunday evening on December 9 in which a safe containing around £1,000 cash was taken.

A total of 28 items of machinery worth £6,000 were also stolen.

Gordon Childs, a partner in the business, said: "We're going to have a long and miserable winter now. It's devastating." He added: "They took 28 items of machinery - chain saws and hedge trimmers which had an average retail value of £300 or £400 each. But Christmas is a reasonably quiet time for us and we will survive."

Mr Childs is convinced they were targeted by a professional gang.

"They cut the phone wires from the footpaths outside, and then they lay in wait to check that the building was empty," he said.

Iver Wills, the company's other partner, was alerted on Sunday evening after the alarm was activated and went to check the premises, but left thinking everything was alright.

The break-in was only discovered the following morning, the day after Mr Childs' 47th birthday.

"It just leaves a bitter taste," he said.

The machinery taken was made by Stihl, and the chainsaws were orange and white.

A reward of up to £500 is being offered by the company for information leading to their recovery.

Anyone who can help should contact Kidderminster police on 01562 820888.