Cylinders stolen from Fenland Gymnastics Academy before event

Gas cylinders, similar to this one, were taken from the gymnastics club and connections pipes were cut

Gas cylinders hired for a fundraising event have been stolen from a gymnastics club run by volunteers.

Thieves cut through piping to steal two large gas cylinders, hired by the Fenland Gymnastics Academy in Wisbech to heat a marquee.

Cambridgeshire Police is investigating the break-in, which happened on Tuesday night.

Head coach Claire Port said the loss of the cylinders - worth £95 each - had "hindered our progress financially".

The academy, on Algores Way, has held a four-day fundraising event, attracting hundreds of spectators, every January since 2015.

It is raising money to move to a larger training facility within Wisbech.

The cylinders had been connected to heating panels which were also hired, along with a 1,500 sq ft (139.3 sq m) marquee for the annual event.

The club had been preparing for its annual fundraising event with a hired marquee

Fenland Gymnastics Club is raising money to move to a larger site

Ms Port said: "I am so proud of our team of gymnasts, coaches and volunteers who have worked so hard over the past few months getting the show prepared.

"The gymnasts all really enjoy this event and it makes us really proud as a club that over 900 people come to enjoy the show.

"We are working so hard to raise money to move to a larger facility and it's disappointing that the break-in on Tuesday night has hindered our progress financially".

She added: "Being a charity, all the money we raise goes back into running the club and so it's a slow process to raise enough money to move into a bigger facility, let alone being able to find a suitable facility within the Wisbech area."

The police has appealed for anyone with information to come forward.