A children's farm has been left with a hefty bill after thieves stole a digger that had been loaned to them.

The machinery worth thousands of pounds was taken from Langleybury Children's Farm earlier this month.

Children's farm trustee and treasurer Jeanette Martins says the digger was being used to install new play equipment for the schoolchildren who visit.

She said: "We're devastated. We've got no idea who has stolen it and this is not the first time we've been targeted. In the past we've had animals such as goats taken and a tractor.

"When things like that happen, it is such a blow for us because it means we can't work on the projects we'd like to do to help children."

The charitable Langleybury Children's Farm has set up a fundraising page to help cover the costs of the stolen digger.

The page states: "We are beyond gutted and unfortunately because the digger was lent to us from the hire company without charge, both our insurance and the hire company’s insurance will not cover the cost of the stolen digger.

"Once again, we have been the victims of greedy individuals who have no regard for other people’s property and the work that we do to support our local community.

"Therefore, we are reaching out to the public to reimburse the hire company who kindly donated the use of the digger."

Ms Martins added: "We all know that January is a hard time to find extra funds and we appreciate all your help."

The children's farm are looking to raise between £10,000 and £13,000. So far, £400 has been raised via the Go Fund Me, with Howdens Joinery Limited also donating £400.

The farm would like to complete the play area project and a digger is needed. Anyone who can help is asked to get in touch at admin@langleyburychildrensfarm.co.uk

The fundraising page can be found here.

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: "Police were called on Wednesday January 12 to report a theft in Langleybury.

"It was reported that between 5pm on Tuesday 11 January and 9.30am the next morning, a mini digger had been stolen from Langleybury Children’s Farm, Langleybury Lane.

"Anyone with information is asked to please contact police online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/3059/22."