KINGSWINFORD Royal British Legion members have been left reeling after heartless thieves broke into their Summerhill premises and stole £2,500 worth of cash and stock.

Equally upsetting for the members was the £5,000 worth of damage caused to the club by the intruders.

Branch secretary Fred Gorman said: "The break-in has been extremely distressing for everyone involved as it has hit the club very hard.

"A lot of pubs and clubs are struggling at the moment and this is the last thing we needed.

"Apart from the club steward, everyone else involved with Kingswinford RBL are volunteers, trying to raise funds for ex-service people."

The thieves managed to prise out a locked safe from behind the bar which contained the evening's takings.

Despite being extremely heavy and bolted to the floor, the intruders managed to cart away the safe - causing considerable damage to the bar in the process.

They also helped themselves to bottles of spirits and a television set.

The thieves obtained entry into the club by breaking down the back door and also smashed their way into an upstairs office and storeroom.

Mr Gorman added: "Thankfully there was nothing else of value in either room, but it was the damage caused that is the problem.

"The break-in wasn't discovered until the cleaner arrived in the morning. We believe it took place in the early hours of Saturday morning (March 28) as the club doesn't close until 11.30pm.

"We would appeal for anyone who has information to come forward."

Chairman John Bennett said the club is one of only a few left in the area that provides a meeting place for ex-service personnel and members of the public who support the legion.

He said the items taken can be replaced but added: "There is considerable damage caused got the club which gives us most heartache."