Am-dram group thankful for support after burglary

The group has been running since 1984 and is celebrating its 40th anniversary

An amateur dramatics group has thanked the local community for its support after equipment worth thousands of pounds was stolen.

Barton Players said lighting, stage legs and a ladder were taken from a garage at the village hall in Barton-le-Clay, Bedfordshire.

The group had been preparing for its 40th anniversary production when the theft took place but insisted "the show must go on, and go on it shall".

Secretary Keith Badham said: "We were feeling very disillusioned when it happened but the last 24 hours have been amazing."

Barton Players said equipment worth about £5,000 was taken from the group's base

The 58-year-old, who joined Barton Players in 2002, was pleased with the local support despite the "devastating, frustrating and annoying" theft.

He said: "We've had some amazing donations already, one lady who met her husband through the group has given us £150.

People have come out the woodwork, another guy who we have never heard of donated £100 yesterday."

At the end of May, the group is scheduled to perform a production of Blithe Spirit to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

Mr Badham added: "We've got a new chap in the group, this is his first production and this is how he is introduced to it.

"But the support has been amazing, even little things like buying tickets for the show, supporting us in that respect is very nice, we're very thankful."