TOP costumes have been stolen from a circus in an overnight raid.

Continental Circus Berlin says thieves stole a leather jacket and Las Vegas-style feathers from their Big Top tent at Preston Park overnight on Saturday.

The circus realised they had been stolen when they did their morning checks on Sunday morning.

A reward of £300 for any information leading to the return of the Vegas style showgirl costumes has been offered by organisers.

A spokesman said: "The entertainment industry has had such a hard time of it in the last 18 months I can't believe people would be so callous as to just break into our premises and steal costumes.

"They are probably of no value to the person who stole them. They could hardly walk up and down London Road in them.

"The theft was purely malicious.

"The costumes are worth around £3,000 and we are offering £300 as a reward for any information leading to the return of the costumes.

"We are currently searching through CCTV footage from the cafe in Preston Park.

"This is the third venue we've been to, we've invested a lot of money in the costumes to bring an amazing show, so this is very, very disappointing.

"The crowds here have been amazing, Brighton has given amazing, wonderful support."

The items are "expensive and irreplaceable", organisers said, and an appeal has been issued to "the wonderful people of Brighton" in bid to get them returned.

"They're quite distinctive, if anyone sees them, we would love get them back," the circus spokesman added.

If you have information, Continental Circus Berlin says you can contact them directly by calling 07494 774008.

Sussex Police said: "Police received report that a leather jacket and feathers were stolen from the Continental Circus Berlin in Preston Park at 12.30pm on Sunday.

"Anyone with information can report online or call 101, quoting 623 of 20/06."

Circus Berlin runs in Preston Park, Brighton until tomorrow.