THE group behind a community project to tackle loneliness say they are “gutted” after crooks broke into their shed and stole power tools.

Men in Sheds aims to tackle social isolation by creating community spaces where participants can work on schemes together.

The Maldon project, based on London Road, opened in 2014 after volunteers transformed the disused building.

Equipped with tools, visitors work together to make things for the home and garden.

But the group has been left shocked after hand and electric tools worth £3,500 were taken from the shed between 1pm on Monday and 10am on Wednesday.

Phil Kinsman, a volunteer and member, said: “Some bench tools were taken and other things of that kind like electrical tools.

“There were probably about 20 to 30 items that have been stolen.

“We are all gutted.

“It is very sad for the group – it has been a real morale dampener – but what we have realised is the shed is not the equipment inside, which we can replace, the shed is the people who have invested their time in it.”

Mr Kinsman said the break-in had come the same week the men were told they were to be recognised in the town mayoral awards.

He added: “We had been asked by the mayor to make a new case for the town mace.

“We had the old box and were measuring up for the next box but we probably are not going to be able to make it in time for the end of the mayor’s year in office.

“Some of the stuff stolen we had only had a couple of weeks – Essex County Council had just given us a grant to buy various bits of equipment.

"Quite a lot of the stuff has been donated by other people out of good will.”

A JustGiving page has been set up to support the group following the break in.

Visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/maldonshed.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Police were called to reports of a burglary at an address in London Road, Maldon which took place at some point between 1pm on Monday, April 10 and 10.20am on Wednesday, April 12.

"Entrance has been gained to the premises, a tidy search conducted and several tools taken."

Anyone with infromation should call police on 101.