A VILLAGE bowls club has suffered a second serious blow in six months.

More than £7,000 worth of specialist gardening equipment belonging to Fishburn Parish Council was stolen at the weekend.

The equipment, used to keep the bowling green in pristine condition, was stored in a large metal container near the bowls club, in Butterwick Road.

The stolen items were a Sisis Turfman, a Sisis Autorake, a Ransome cylinder lawnmower and a Honda professional grasscutter.

It is thought two thieves used a white van to remove the machines, which will only be of use to professional gardeners.

A woman resident saw them removing the items and placing them in the van at about 7am on Saturday, but initially assumed that they were connected to the club.

But when she checked with the council, she was told there were no employees working in the area.

Fishburn Bowls Club was devastated by an arson attack in December.

The clubhouse was destroyed and thousands of pounds worth of bowls and other equipment was lost.

Anyone with any information about the two thieves or the van is asked to contact Newton Aycliffe police on (01325) 314401.