THIEVES have broken into Carlin Motorsport's factory in the Coxbridge Business Park, stealing trophies worth little as scrap metal but holding "great sentimental value" to the GP2 and GP3 motor racing team.

The Carlin factory was broken into just before 10.30pm on Thursday, June 6, after the thieves shattered the main reception door with a pick axe. The alarm was triggered by two separate sensors and the police were called automatically.

However, the thieves had time to grab trophies from Carlin's downstairs and upstairs reception areas, causing around £800 worth of damage to the building's door, shelving and marble flooring in the process.

Team principal Trevor Carlin said: "Obviously this is really disappointing for everyone in the team. The irony is the trophies are pretty much worthless to anyone but us; they have great sentimental value to the team and there's a story behind every one.

"We've really loved being in Farnham for the last couple of years and it's a shame that some mindless thieves can cause such damage and inconvenience for what was essentially no monetary gain whatsoever.

"We've received some very supportive comments from our neighbours and those further afield though and Surrey Police have been extremely helpful - so thank you to them for such a prompt response on the night and their assistance since."