UP to �60,000 worth of equipment – including a fork lift, a 14ft trailer and ride on mower- has been stolen from a farm workshop belonging to Councillor Pop Jolley.

The raiders struck at Poplars Farm, Manea, after midnight on Wednesday and cleared a workshop of dozens of high value items.

“They seemed to know what they were coming for,” said Cllr Jolley who has been busy preparing an inventory of stolen goods.

A JCB, an Ifor Williams 14ft trailer, a BOC phase welder, an Appachi quad bike, ride-on lawnmower and power tools were stolen.

“What they have done is to load everything into a trailer, and then hooked the trailer on the fork lift and taken everything out of the yard,” said Cllr Jolley.

Wacker plates, grinders, cement mixers and commercial hammers were also stolen after the raiders broke off padlocks and crow barred their way through steel security gates to enter.

“Someone must have seen something,” said Cllr Jolley who believes a large low loader may have been parked nearby to drive away the stolen property.

He said that other items – including a �10,000 mini digger, four more quad bikes and jet skis- had been left but that was probably because the low loader was already full. Cllr Jolley has now moved goods from the yard to a secret location.

“It’s a hella of blow, and bloody upsetting,” said Cllr Jolley who attended Cabinet meeting of Fenland Council some hours later but left early from a subsequent council meeting . The whole experience, he said, had left him shattered.

A police spokesman appealed for anyone with information to call them on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Cllr Jolley said he had not considered a reward but would review it should some come forward to help secure a conviction.