A HISTORIC pub has been targeted by thieves who stole more than £1,000 worth of garden furniture.

Police are investigating the theft of garden chairs, tables and two distinctive parasols from the Bowling Green Inn, Hadley Heath, on the morning of Tuesday, June 13.

The raid happened at the popular pub, which dates back to the 16th century, between 2 and 6am.

Eight garden chairs, with metal frames and green material seats, were stolen, along with two matching wrought-iron tables. The tables are two metres by one metre and have glass tops.

The thieves also stole two large, orange-yellow parasols, described as "very distinctive" and bearing the logo 'Veuve Clicquot' - both of which had heavy wrought-iron bases.

The tables and chairs are valued at around £650 and the parasol umbrellas are valued at approximately £300 each.

General manager Richie Fawcett said: "We have only had them for about a month. The furniture is eye catching and unique. It's a shame that they have been taken, but I can't see how they are going to use them because others will know where they have come from."

A police spokesman said: "With the number and weight of the items stolen a reasonably large vehicle would have been needed and it may well have needed more than one person to carry off the equipment.

"We would like to hear from local residents and other members of the community who may have seen or heard any suspicious activity in the vicinity at the relevant time, or who may be offered garden furniture matching these descriptions."

Callers are asked to contact police by calling 08457 444888, quoting incident number 166S/130606.