BRAZEN burglars created their own hole in the wall to make a cash withdrawal at the weekend.

Thieves smashed through an exterior brick wall of a County Durham town council's offices and stole a safe from inside.

The culprits appear to have drilled into the wall of Sedgefield Town Council's advice and information centre, on Front Street, Sedgefield village, to create a 18inch square hole.

They then reached inside and grabbed a safe containing cash and cheques - many of which were residents' payment for community events.

Town clerk, Lesley Swinbank, said: "It was a bit of a shock to turn up for work at quarter to nine on a Monday morning and find a hole in the wall and the safe stolen.

"Thankfully most cash had been banked but there was some taken and cheques sent as payment for a Proms in the Park event and for a coach trip, mainly for older people, have gone.

"It makes me angry because this is theft from the community but I'll make sure no-one loses out because of it."

Mrs Swinbank said a record of all payments has been kept so anyone whose cheque has been stolen will be contacted and alternative arrangements made.

She said both events, the Proms in the Park at Ceddesfeld Hall, on Saturday, and July's trip to Skipton in North Yorkshire, will go ahead as planned.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which occurred at sometime over the weekend, to contact the Sergeant's office, at Newton Aycliffe, on 0845-6060365 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.