A GANG of thieves escaped with around £2,000 and caused damage costing a similar amount in a daring raid on Minehead's rugby club.

The culprits, armed with power tools, are thought to have disabled the club's alarm system during a private New Year's Eve party and then hidden in the skittle alley at the venue on the outskirts of town.

Once the revellers had left and club staff had locked up in the early hours of New Year's Day, the gang apparently got to work breaking into the steel and concrete-banded safe, pouring the contents of at least eight bottles of spirits on it to dampen down the dust.

Club chairman Graham Symes said, although the amount of money stolen was relatively small, the thieves had caused significant damage.

"They used vodka and whisky and even the juice from jars of pickled eggs to dampen things down," said Mr Symes.

The club has had to replace locks at the cost of around £500, the safe and carry out work to its security system.

"The damage is likely to cost at least £2,000," said Mr Symes.

"It looks as though it was a professional job, although they obviously thought there would be more cash on the premises than there was.

"However, although we had had a lot of functions over Christmas and New Year, we always bank the takings regularly and we never keep very much cash in the safe.

"It's been quite a shock and it is definitely an inconvenience but we are just thankful that none of our staff were injured."

Police have confirmed they are investigating the burglary and have appealed for any witnesses to contact them.

A spokesman for the Avon and Somerset force said officers wanted to hear from anyone who was in the area in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Anyone with information can contact the confidential Crimestoppers service on 0800 555 111.