BURGLARS have smashed their way into a West Somerset community shop and stolen takings from the till as well as ticket money for a church concert.

The raid on Stogumber Community Shop and Post Office happened on Tuesday night (August 11).

The burglars broke through the shop’s traditionally-made front window, which was only installed a few months ago.

They stole cash from the till and about £250 of ticket sales for a concert in the village’s St Mary’s Church on Friday, September 4.

Half of the ticket money was for the concert musicians and the rest would have gone toward the running of the church.

A spokesperson said: “This is very distressing for the village that has done so much to make this volunteer-run enterprise successful.

“The village is hoping that many more people will buy tickets, not just to hear wonderful music, but to show that selfish thieves cannot break community spirit.”

The community shop only moved into its new premises in High Street, next door to the old property, in April, when former shop owners Roger and Anne Howe returned to cut a ribbon.

Local residents and supporters had raised more than £190,000 to launch the project, which was started after the retirement of Mr and Mrs Howe when nobody wanted to take over the business.

The concert in the parish church, which is opposite the shop, will feature Sebastian Tesouro on violin and Geoffrey Boyd on the piano, who will perform music from around the world, including from Argentina, Bulgaria, Brazil, France, Germany, Ireland, and Russia.

They will feature tangos, Irish reels, Balkan horas, Edith Piaf, Bizet, Brahms, Schubert, and Tchaikovsky.

The Free Press has approached Avon and Somerset Police for more information on the crime.