A landscape gardener has been left to pick up the pieces after burglars stole almost all of his power tools.

Andrew Short, 46, discovered his garage in Carnation Road, Strood, had been broken into on March 1.

Three Honda mowers had been taken, along with a chainsaw, a two-arm strimmer, a long-arm hedge cutter and a smaller hedge cutter.

His son’s mountain bike was also stolen, and the thieves broke the back of his trailer to gain access to a rotavator, which they had been unable to remove.

Mr Short, who has been a landscape gardener for 14 years, said: “I’ve had to buy a few more tools. The insurance has come through, but it’s not the point.

“You work hard all year long. I’m a single parent with one child.”

It is the second time Mr Short had to deal with being burgled since his wife died five years ago.

“A year after she died we got burgled,” he said.

“They stole mine and her wedding rings, engagement rings, and the last toys she bought for my son.”

Mr Short believes the thieves must have struck between 4.45pm on Tuesday last week and 3.30pm the next day.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01634 792209 quoting XY/009320/17.