A football club chairman has been left frustrated and angry after a clubhouse break-in which resulted in the theft of charity tins, cash and alcohol.

Burglars broke into Lyme Regis Football Club's clubhouse off Charmouth Road early yesterday morning, at around 5.30am.

Two men could be seen on CCTV entering the building. They took money from charity collection tins as well as alcohol, cash, bar snacks and petrol, used for the club's lawn mower.

The charity tins were for the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance and the RNLI.

Club chairman Gerard Hitchcock said: "There is definitely a bit of anger. There is no real need for it. We are a non-profit, and any money we do make goes back into the club and now we need to pay for more stock.

"They took the charity tins, which is always a bit galling.

"A lot of it is just inconvenient. Now we have to change the locks and tidy the place to make sure it is all safe.

"In this day and age, the last thing you need is to lose money. I would say we lost around £500 or £600 in stock and petty cash."

Mr Hitchcock is urging other sports and football clubs to be extra vigilant.

File picture of Gerard Hitchcock Picture: MAISIE HILLFile picture of Gerard Hitchcock Picture: MAISIE HILL

The break-in has been reported to Dorset Police, who have been approached for comment.

A spokesperson for the club added: "We’re really sad to report that our clubhouse was broken into in the early hours of the morning

"These two entered the ground via the bank from Charmouth Road car park at about 5.30am, gained entry and stole cash - thankfully minimal kept on-site - alcohol, bar snacks, petrol for our mower and sadly our collection tin for the air ambulance and some change from our RNLI collection.

"This has been reported to the police but if anyone has any information, CCTV/doorbell camera footage in the Charmouth Road area, or recognises this pair, who were carrying stolen goods in black bin bags, please get in touch.

"We are aware that other clubs in the area have been targeted - unsure if they are the same culprits - so please be vigilant."