A DESPERATE appeal for help has been issued by Grayshott Stagers after costumes and props worth around £1,000 were stolen from their store shed behind the village hall.

Hampshire Police issued an appeal for witnesses after the shed was broken into sometime between midnight and 2pm on January 7 – ironically just four months before the am dram group’s next major production, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels!

It was the second time the props store had been targeted in six weeks and items taken included 25 original telephones, including two valuable “candlestick” telephones, and 50 military and police uniforms.

Grayshott Stagers chairman Laura Musco said: “We are devastated by the second break-in at our scenery and costume shed in six weeks.

“The first break-in occurred mid-November and members are wondering if the gang that visited them realised there was more to be had so made a return trip."

The haul includes 50 military and police uniforms, all the furs – not all real, but good costume wear, a lot of ladies’ evening and day dresses, top hats, bowler hats, two vintage typewriters, a large box of costume jewellery, about 25 vintage telephones including two valuable candlestick telephones, several gas masks, a pair of binoculars, and several cameras from different eras.

The thieves also made off with silver tea sets and jugs, goblets and tankards, decanters and glasses, a white mantle clock, and a box of household items such as feather dusters.

Grayshott Stagers would like to hear from anyone who might be able to help them replace the lost items.

“If anyone is thinking of taking something to a charity shop, or the local dump, we would appreciate it if you added us into your considerations," said Laura.

“We would love to hear from you if you have anything that you think might help replenish our costumes and props and would like to thank all the amateur dramatics societies that have offered their help in providing costumes and props for future productions.”

To contact the group, call 07717 211762.

A Hampshire Police spokesman said: “We are appealing for information after theatrical costumes were stolen in a burglary at Grayshott Village Hall last weekend. Production costumes and props worth around £1,000, which are used by an amateur dramatics group, were taken.

“We are especially keen to hear from any other amateur dramatics groups or military stores that are offered any items which they believe may have been stolen.”

Anyone who saw anything suspicious should call PC Kirsty Westropp at Alton police station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.