THE owner of Alcester Golf Centre has hit out at burglars who took about £25,000 of equipment earlier this month.

Patrick Hayes, who owns the Old Stratford Road centre, said he was "disappointed" and although the burglary had not endangered his business, it had given him short-term difficulties.

"It's Christmas time and attendance on the golf course is down at this time of year so I rely highly on retail sales - it has not come at a good time," he said.

"I almost expected it but I'm just very disappointed with what they have done."

Mr Hayes said the thieves had removed a fence post next to the main gate and driven up to the front of the range in the early hours of Friday, November 18.

They had also cut the alarm system then made off with golf equipment, including clubs.

He said: "They obviously knew what they were doing, they were a highly professional bunch.

"Once they cut the alarm, nobody could hear them and they had all the time in the world."

Mr Hayes said he had been burgled once before in March 2004 when he first took over, and they had improved security then, but now they planned to install a top-of-the-range security system as well as improving CCTV.

"It's like having your house burgled, I feel exposed," he said.

"All I can say is if anyone is offered some golf equipment around this time they should be suspicious and report it to the police."