A football club says its pre-season preparations could be under threat after thieves stole their lawnmowers.

Buxted Football Club said its volunteers would struggle to take care of its pitch after their “much needed” gardening equipment was stolen in the middle of the night.

The club is now turning to crowdfunding to try and get its season back on track while police investigate.

In a statement on their GoFundMe page, the club said: “As a small village club at the heart of our community, Buxted Football & Buxted Pavilion volunteers have been left deeply saddened by the planned and cruel theft of our much-needed equipment in the early hours of the 21st July 24.

“Despite being fully secure, the club was unjustifiably robbed of the very tools and equipment its volunteers use to upkeep the football pitch, provide facilities and a recreation ground for the local community to use, be proud of and spend time at.

“Distressingly, the CCTV footage shows the entrance gate had been cut open, the garage door pulled off its hinges and various gardening equipment stolen, including a ride-on mower and strimmer.

“Highlighting the lack of respect shown to all the hardworking volunteers that dedicate their time to make our club and pavilion an enjoyable place for the whole village to come together and the total disregard for someone else’s property - we sincerely hope they are caught and justice will follow in due course.”

So far the club has raised over £1,000 towards its £8,000 target on its GoFundMe page.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said the garage was broken into at around 12.30am on July 21.

The lawnmower, strimmer and other gardening equipment were then loaded into a van and removed from the scene shortly before 2am.

The force added: “We ask that anyone with information, CCTV, or who saw anything suspicious in the area makes a report to police.

“You can contact us online, or by calling 101 quoting reference 422 of 21/07.”