PROFESSIONAL thieves struck a Meon Valley charity twice in one weekend as they stole gates and a trailer.

Curdridge Reading Rooms is at least £500 out of pocket after its metal gates were stolen overnight between Friday and Saturday.

When volunteer Larry Burden put his trailer on the field to block the gate, thieves took that as well using cutting tools.

Trustee Elaine Flower found the trailer gone on Monday morning. She said: "It's not the first time we've had the gate stolen, but this time I was pretty miserable because this time they've picked on one of our volunteers.

"It seems pretty professional to me – they must have come along with lifting gear.

"He takes a week off work to help run the Curdridge Show, he's that sort of volunteer. We're all quite upset for him."

The gate was taken between 4pm on Friday October 2 and 10.30pm on Saturday October 3 at Curdridge Reading Rooms.

A police spokesman said: "They are 10ft double metal gates worth at least £500. A vehicle and cutting tools would have been needed to take them away.

"It's unlikely to be a spur of the moment crime because of this as whoever it was obviously came prepared."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference number 44150343396 or talk to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.