TWYFORD Social Club has suffered a “devastating” break-in amounting to thousands of pounds’ worth of damage.

Wall units were ripped out and doors smashed at the building on Queen Street, as well as a safe being stolen and the Poppy Appeal box emptied.

The cost to repair the damage following the incident at around 4am to 5am on November 8 is thought to be £5,000.

Manager Amy Walsh said: “We are a struggling community club that is non-profit making and all of the work carried out to refurbish the property is voluntary.”

In a Facebook post, the club added: “No words can express how we feel about the soulless cowards who did this, but we’ll bounce back.”

The club is currently crowdfunding and hopes to raise enough money to provide security shutters, CCTV and new doors and frames for the property.

They have currently raised more than £1,000 towards the repairs.

They will also be holding an ‘Under new management party’ on Friday, December 1 to continue their fundraising.

Committee member Mike Sharpe said: “It is formally a working man’s club and we’ve recently been getting more members from all around the community.

“The only silver lining is that this has really galvanised the community.”

A Hampshire Constabulary spokeswoman said: “There was forced entry of fire exit doors. A safe was stolen. We don’t have the exact amount of money it contained.

“Attempts were made to remove fruit machine and the pool table was also tampered with.

“Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting 44170434549.”

Tywford Social Club’s fundraising page can be found on JustGiving at http://bit.ly/2zGqhe9.