Heartless thieves have stolen hundreds of pounds worth of items from a village fete.

The organisers of Gosfield fete were left with a bitter taste in their mouth when they woke up on Sunday morning to find a host of different furniture set up for the previous day’s event had been stolen.

An appeal for the return of the items was posted on Facebook, but there has, as yet, been no sign of them.

Fete committee chairman Chris Flint said: “As far as we are aware, two gazebos, two beer kegs borrowed from a pub and tables and chairs from the village shop were all taken.

“The two kegs of beer I suppose weren’t completely empty so there must have been enough to keep someone interested.

“It looks like its fairly random things that have been taken, but ones which are easy to move.

“It has cast an unfortunate shadow over the day which we aren’t particularly used to.

“This will certainly make us think twice in future.” Mr Flint admits he does not expect the items will be returned.

He says there is further frustration among villagers as proceeds raised from the event will now have to cover the cost of the stolen items, rather than be spent on the community He added: “We will now have to pay for the non return of the kegs.

“The proceeds raised from the event were supposed to go towards the maintenance of the village field and towards youth groups in the village. Having to pay for the stolen items means there is less money available for those causes which is very disappointing and a real shame.”

Anyone with information should contact Essex Police on 101.