Thieves steal Beeches Cadets marching band's van

A Midlands marching band is appealing for help in finding its van and equipment which were stolen from outside a pub.

Beeches Cadets have been forced to put rehearsals on hold after the van was stolen in Great Barr.

The vehicle and contents, worth thousands of pounds, were stolen from outside the Beeches Pub, Thornbridge Avenue.

The 40-strong US-style youth marching band, which relies on it to transport equipment and instruments to shows, fears it faces raising thousands replacing it.

The group's instruments, worth £30,000, were not inside the van on Sunday.

Andrew Dallison, band corps director, said: "We have had the van almost 12 months and we have always parked it there. They very kindly let us park it at the front so everybody could see it and this kind of thing wouldn't happen.

"We don't have any idea what time, we are trying to find out and police are looking at CCTV. Hopefully someone has abandoned it and not torched it."

The Ford Cargo Box Van has a red cab and white body and a registration plate of C891 GTW. Andrew, aged 42, of Coseley, said they raised cash for the van, which cost £1,800 and stored harnesses and props for the show, worth around £2,000.

He added: "The kids are really disappointed and have sent messages to their friends and friends of the band via Facebook site. It will affect rehearsals and we haven't got the funds to replace it. It is insured but it is an old van so even with the insurance money we are not going to be able to recoup everything."

Anyone with information should call West Midlands Police on 03845 113 5000 or Andrew on 07786254051.