A volunteer has spoken of sadness, and concerns over increased costs to users, after Shotley village hall suffered third burglary over a short pace of time.

The latest break in, sometime between 6pm on Tuesday, and 9am the following day, when a window was forced and the culprits escaped with a few cans of beer left over from an event, and some cash.

The estimated value of goods stolen was less than £50, as the village hall does not usually store any alcohol on site,

However, the wider implications are that the Village Hall Committee is now have to take costly precautions to prevent the break-ins happening again the future.

This includes the replacement of three external doors, new locks on front door, replacement windows and installation of CCTV.

Maureen Coulson, with husband Andrew, running auction at Shotley village hall (Picture: Nub News)

Committee member Maureen Coulson sad: "This is going to cost over £5,000. This is money that has to come from the community as the village hall is a community run building.

"Ultimately this could result in the hire charges having to be increased, which impacts on many people in the village. 

"It also leaves me, personally, very sad.

"The village hall is run by volunteers who do not need this extra work and worry."

Village Hall is well used (Picture: Nub News)

Suffolk police confirmed they are investigating the break in and added: "We are not currently linking this to wider offences on the Peninsula.

"Anyone with information should contact Suffolk police quoting crime reference: 37/41260/23."