THIEVES have broken into a newly-built machinery shed at Hatherleigh Cricket Club and stolen £2,000 worth of equipment.
A Westward ride-on mower and strimmer were taken after a padlock on the shed was broken between Boxing Day and December 29.
Cricket club bar manager Tony Connor said members had been preparing for the Millennium celebrations in Hatherleigh, which the club was hosting, when the theft was discovered.
'It is very upsetting when someone does this kind of thing, especially at a time like this,' he said.
'We have just built this shed which cost over £3,000 and we can ill-afford the money to replace this equipment.'
Mr Connor is hoping someone locally may have seen a suspicious vehicle or people in the area.
'The light goes on if anyone walks onto the grounds,' he said. 'Whoever did this must have had a van or low-loader and ramps because these items are big and heavy.'
The club has now had to remove other equipment from the shed and is considering installing an alarm.
Anyone with information should call Okehampton Police on 0990 777444.