CAMPING equipment worth almost £4,000 has been stolen from a scout group two weeks before they were to go on an annual trip.

Burglars took tents, lamps and cooking equipment, smashed a portable toilet and burnt wooden tent pegs.

They were stored at Pelton Roseberry Primary School, in Chester-le-Street, and the attack has angered leaders of the First Newfields Scouts, Cubs and Beavers.

But they are determined that eight youngsters, aged eight to ten, will still go to the camp at West Rainton later this month.

Leader Chris Grimwood said: "We hope that other groups will let us use their stuff, so it does not spoil it completely for the kids.

"It will be a test of our scouting camaraderie and we will all have to pull together. We will have to be prepared to make the best of a bad job."

The theft happened on Friday while the school was closed for half-term.

Mrs Grimwood said some tents had been taken without poles and some poles without tents.

She said: "It makes the whole lot useless and they are going to be impossible to replace.

"Some of the equipment has been bought with money the kids have raised themselves, so it is particularly upsetting for them."

Thieves took three large patrol tents, a five-person dome tent, six Tilley lamps, two camping stoves and gas canisters, benches and two bow saws.

PC Steve Brant, of Chester-le-Street police, is investigating.

He said: "We have carried out house-to-house inquiries and we appeal to anyone with information to come forward."

People have been asked to call police on 0191-388 4311.