Burglars who smashed their way into a sports club bar came away with just loose change.

They broke into the lounge bar at Earls Colne Recreation Club in Halstead Road, Earls Colne, shortly after midnight last night and ransacked the premises.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Essex Police are investigating after a sports centre in Halstead Road, Earls Colne, was broken into.

"The break in was discovered minutes after midnight today.

"Suspects unknown got in by forcing open a side door.

"They made a messy search of the premises and stole a small amount of loose change."

Anybody with any information can contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.