A County Durham business owner has slammed a break-in at his bar restaurant as "sickening" as police launch an investigation into the incident.

The Witch and Hare, an independent beer, tapas and wine bar has been based on Seaside Lane in Easington for just under two years - but sadly just last week suffered a break-in.

Despite having driven past the business in the early hours of September 26 whilst in a taxi on his way to the airport, owner Richard Parker's phone later "lit up like a Christmas tree" when he found out about the incident as well as the fact that money was missing.

The break in at The Witch and Hare, Easington.The break in at The Witch and Hare, Easington. (Image: THE WITCH AND HARE) The 54-year-old told The Northern Echo: "It is hard when things like this happen to small businesses like mine - you have to work seven days a week to keep money and then people think it is okay to help themselves.

"I drove past there at about 5 o'clock in the morning whilst in a taxi and I didn't notice anything. A bin had blown over and I couldn't see the door.

"It is just absolutely sickening. You put all this work in and then money gets stolen which will take us time to earn back."

Following the incident, the community of Easington has rallied around Richard who is now going to face more bills as he pays to get the premises secure once again.

He added: "I got off the plane and my phone just lit up like a Christmas tree. We've now had an alarm in and had CCTV installed and the window boarded up."

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Durham Constabulary have confirmed that the premises was burgled and have said an investigation has been launched.

A spokesperson said: "Police were called shortly before 9am last Thursday to reports of a burglary at a premises on Seaside Lane.

"The pub is believed to have been broken into sometime overnight between September 25 and 26. An investigation is now underway, and enquiries are being carried out."