Shocking footage has been released showing hooded thieves raiding an animal centre before fleeing the scene with hundreds of pounds in donations.

Wildwood Discovery Park, which is located in Wealden Forest between Canterbury and Herne Bay, was ransacked in the early hours of Monday morning.

The CCTV footage shows three thieves - one holding a claw hammer - searching through a till, shelves and boxes.

They also smashed a door and stole donations that had been collected for its baby dormice appeal.

Sarah Anstee from Wildwood said: "This vile act of stealing money donated for our vital conservation efforts that was so generously given by our supporters is beyond despicable."

Police have been notified of the burglary.

Wildwood is offering a free visit to the park to anyone with information.

The trust, which has a conservation team dedicated to breeding dormice as part of a national programme, is also appealing to its supporters to help replace the lost funds.

To donate, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Herne Bay.