An Aladdin's cave of sex toys has been raided by thieves.

Some £5,000 worth of vibrators and other kinky accessories have been swiped from sex shop Taboo's storage unit, off Dyke Road in Brighton.

But bosses believe the crooks were probably unaware what they were stealing as the boxes were unmarked.

Hundreds of vibrators, magazines and other pleasure-gadgets were being held in the locked-up garage.

The outlet, which was voted best of its kind nationally in 2006, is believed to have fallen prey to professional burglars.

Hay was found around the lock-up and is thought to have been used to pad the get-away vehicle so as to avoid noise.

Managing director Tim Richardson found his store had been broken into at 7.30am today.

Taboo is set to open a new store in Gardener Street, North Laine, called Lush, styled on the high-street success of shops like Ann Summers.

The garage had been a hive of activity in recent days as lorry loads of goods arrived for the opening in October.

Mr Richardson said the theft was a blow.

He said: "I have got to sit down and work out how to get out of this.

"We are devastated because it is a big loss - there was almost a shop worth in there.

"What are they going to do with them? It is not the kind of thing you can sell in a pub.

"I think it was a professional job as they must have been watching us."

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "The owner noticed the locks had been broken and contacted police at around 8am.

"It is not yet known whether the offenders knew what was in the boxes, but we think they may have problems trying to sell such items on.

"If anyone has information about the whereabouts of the items stolen, please contact us on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."

Forensic experts were tonight due to visit the storage unit to try to collect evidence that could identify the offenders.

Mr Richardson is now offering a £1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Taboo is one of four adult shops in the city, including the long-established Private Shop in Surrey Street.