An amateur football team may have to cancel matches after the players' kit was stolen.

Ditchling Veterans Soccer Side are hoping they can borrow some strips after thieves broke into manager Nigel Maybury's car and pinched their kit, along with set of golf clubs.

Mr Maybury, who lives in Burgess Hill, said: "I was absolutely horrified when I saw the car had been broken into.

"I don't normally leave all the stuff inside. It was all covered in the boot. They forced the lock of the driver's door and forced the back seats out.

"I don't know how we are going to replace it. It is a shame because the kit is only a couple of years old and has hardly been used. We only play five or six matches a year."

The thieves swiped the entire red and blue striped kit, which was caked in mud from a previous game. They also took a couple of footballs and the shorts and socks.

The shirts had the team's sponsor, The Sandrock pub, emblazoned across them.

The team, who are all over 35, will still be able to train on Saturdays but need something to wear for their matches in the Mid Sussex Veterans League.

My Maybury said: "It will muck us up. I have calmed down a bit but I was furious.

"We can probably borrow a kit for Saturdays but we have games coming up in the next couple of weeks.

"I had a look round with the local bobby to see if it had been dumped somewhere.

"It will be absolutely no use to them unless they go to the trouble of washing it."

The car was parked by Ditchling Pond in Lodge Hill Lane, Ditchling, when the thieves broke in on Sunday.

Anyone with information should call PC Terry Scully of Burgess Hill police on 0845 6070999.