THE NEW owners of an Exbourne pub whose premises were burgled whilst they were taking part in a charity event, have been 'overwhelmed' by the support of the community.
David and Pamela Wilson of the Red Lion Inn said the horror of having their home ransacked and money stolen from the till on July 7 had been made slightly easier by the messages of support, phone calls, flowers and cards that they had received.
'The people in the village have been marvellous and so supportive,' said Mrs Wilson. 'Everyone has expressed their absolute disgust that anyone could do this to us.'
Mrs Wilson also praised the Okehampton Police who had gone beyond the call of duty and the local vicar Reverend Alex Welby who had said a prayer at the pub which had given them 'great strength.'
The couple moved into the pub in February, two weeks before the foot and mouth crisis hit.
Slow trade forced a planned refurbishment of the kitchen to be put back and they have been trying to survive on drink sales.
'Life has been hard anyway and when we were burgled it was very distressing,' added Mrs Wilson.
'I know we still did the right thing by moving here but you just so not expect this sort of thing to happen.'
Police do not believe the burglary is related to the three other burglaries that have recently occurred in the village.
Mrs Wilson said: 'It is obviously someone who knew our whereabouts that afternoon,' she said. 'We were running the beer tent at the school fete and the burglary happened sometime between 2.40pm and 5pm.'
Burglars smashed a rear window to enter the property and stole cash from the till.
'They ransacked every area of our living quarters but stole nothing else,' added Mrs Wilson.
'It is a horrible feeling to know someone has been going through all your things.
'I am just starting to sleep again at night and it's the wonderful support from this tiny community which is helping us to get through it.'
If anyone has information regarding this crime they should the police central switchboard on 08705 777444 and ask to speak to PC Ken Dyne at Okehampton Police Station.