A SPORTS club is warning others across Wharfedale and Aireborough to be vigilant after thieves broke in a stole thousands of pounds worth of ground maintenance equipment.

Burglars raided a storage building at the Bradford Road club late last Friday or in the early hours of Saturday, stealing lawnmowers, tools and power tools used to maintain the cricket field and grounds.

Although disheartened by the break in from what officials thought was a secure building, the club will be able to go ahead with this weekend's second team match against Green Lane on Saturday.

The club is currently working hard to develop its ground and facilities, with recent improvements including new toilets and an effort to bring drainage problems at one corner of its field to an end.

Although all equipment was insured and the club hopes to replace it all shortly, it is reviewing its security arrangements around the storage of its equipment, and warning other sports clubs to be on the lookout for thieves.

"I think the message is just be vigilant and make sure that any equipment is stored in a secure place," said club secretary, Paul Smith.

"It obviously effects our work, but we'll be able to play this weekend. As a cricket club we get setbacks, but we've just got to deal with them."

Mr Smith says he has heard of other clubs being targeted by thieves in the past, too.

He said the club is currently going through a period of making improvements to its ground.

Police were contacted the following day and inspected the premises, as well as checking CCTV footage from a nearby business and talking to people living nearby.

The club was also told that there had been break-ins at commercial premises within a few miles of the club on the same night.

Police are still keen to hear from potential witnesses.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman asked for anyone who had seen anything suspicious in the area to contact police on the non-emergency 101 number, quoting crime reference number *0570 of 18 July.