An expensive lawn mower has been stolen from Fort Amherst and volunteers who cut the grass are appealing for its return.

The John Deere machine, which is locked away securely each night is a vital tool for volunteers who have to help cut the grass at the 22 acre site.

The grass cutter was stolen overnight on June 1, after thieves broke into the site via the Brompton entrance by cutting thought the gate chain and padlock.

It is thought the thieves broke in about midnight that night and at 8am the next morning when volunteers turned up at the site in Dock Road, Chatham, they discovered the tractor type mower had been stolen.

The thieves seem to have targeted the mower as nothing else was taken during the break-in and helpers revealed the machine has only just bee repaired the week before.

It has been broken for several weeks and took a lot of work by volunteers to get it going again and cost a lot of money to repair.

The site will now have to be mowed manually and will take helpers much longer.

Chairman, Les Snowdon, said: “It is a real disappointment that this has happened.

“The timing couldn’t be worse with it having just been repaired and the grass cutting season now in full swing we rely on the machine.

“Those who worked so hard on repairing it did so to ensure the trust didn’t need to raise the additional funds required to buy a new machine.

“Stealing can never be condoned and it is very disappointing when it’s from a charity that works hard to raise all the money it needs for the day to day running of the site without the aid of grants or sponsorships and relies heavily on machinery and equipment donations.”

Anyone who saw anything of knows about the break-in or has any equipment or machinery they no longer require and would like to donate to the trust is being urged to contact volunteers at the fort.

Call 01634 847747 or email admin@fortamherst.com