CALLOUS thieves broke into a family-run nursery and stole 40 Christmas trees. 

The trees - worth £2,500 - were stolen from Three Springs Nursery in Defford Lane, Pershore, overnight.

Mark Evans, who owns the business with his wife Annalise, said the thieves had left him with just three Christmas trees to sell this winter. 

"It is quite sickening," said the 43-year-old who lives in Kidderminster.

"It was a bit of a shock this morning to walk in and find the majority of our trees have gone - they left me with three.

"Christmas trees are worth a lot of money, the majority of the trees that were taken were £45 up to £60 trees.

"Someone is going to have a nice Christmas, but not me."

He explained access was gained to his nursery through a nearby farmer's field.

The trees, which were not netted, were stored outside but within the nursery's grounds, which are surrounded by an 8ft hedge and fence.

Mr Evans says Christmas trees cannot be insured as they are items which are often stolen.

"They came in via the farmer's field at the back they have cut all his padlocks off his gates and got a very large vehicle to take the Christmas trees," said Mr Evans.

"There has been no damage at all [to the nursery], they basically opened the bottom gates up and dragged them through.

"It is a small family business. It is going to be a very bleak Christmas."

West Mercia Police is currently investigating the burglary and is appealing for witnesses to the incident.

The burglary took place overnight between Wednesday, December 7, and this morning (Thursday).

A police spokesman said: "Investigations are in the early stages but officers are keen to speak to those who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area."

Anyone with information can call West Mercia Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting incident 164S of December 8.