THOUSANDS of pounds have allegedly been taken from a farm store leaving staff "devastated".

Manager Jemma Bentley said that £2,500 was taken from the safe at Cobbs at Manydown, on Worting Road, on Saturday night - around five days takings.

The thieves smashed the windows trying to get in, but after that didn't work, they used a crowbar to break in via the fire door, Jemma says.

"The guys are devastated," Jemma told the Gazette.

"They had been working so hard all week, one of the hardest weeks in years.

"That is a lot of money to us."

However, Jemma says that she has been overwhelmed with the community response, standing by the store at one of the hardest times for small businesses in living memory.

"The community have been brilliant. We have never had so many likes and comments for a shop our size."

The store will remain open Monday-Saturday.