Burglars broke into a dance school for the sixth time this year and stole all the pupils' Christmas presents.

They also made off with a stereo, leaving the Rox School of Dancing in Hove up to £600 out of pocket.

Teachers arrived on Sunday to discover the latest break-in, a sight they have become accustomed to.

Owner Sophie Amison said she was shocked the thieves had taken the chocolate presents for the school's 240 pupils.

Mrs Amison said: "I can't believe it has happened again. It's the last week of term and all the chocolates were locked in the office and were going to be presents.

"This is the sixth time this year we have been broken into. They have previously stolen the payphone, the vacuum cleaner, stereos, speakers and money. Last time we were burgled we put new locks on so they broke through the plasterboard wall.

"We are covered by insurance but it goes up every time someone breaks in. It's so unfair. We work so hard, the profit margin is tiny and we have to give it up when there are break-ins."

Inspector Julie Wakeford said: "Although the items stolen were not very expensive, stealing presents in the run-up to Christmas seems particularly mean."

The school in Fonthill Road, which has pupils aged from two-and-a-half to 21, has been open since 1991.

Mrs Amison has had a host of talented pupils attending her classes which encourage all aspects of theatre work, including dance and drama.

Charity events have been organised so pupils can give something back to the community.

Mrs Amison said: "It is tragic this has happened just before Christmas.

"All the pupils work so hard to make shows happen and we like to give them something back. It is just a nice thing to do.

"We aim to encourage a nice creative atmosphere here and something like this puts a dampener on everything."