MORE than £1,000 worth of games consoles were stolen during a burglary at a Cwmbran community centre.

Thieves broke into Glenside Community Hall, Pontnewydd, sometime overnight on October 15, after breaking in through a fire exit. Two Nintendo Wii consoles, two Sony Playstation 2s, two Microsoft Xbox 360s, two Nintendo Game Cubes, an electric guitar, computer games, two CD players and a karaoke machine were taken.

Centre manager Julie Staddon said initial estimates are that it will cost more than £1,000 to replace the items, which were paid for with money raised by the local community.

Mrs Staddon said: "It's heartbreaking. They took all the burgers and stuff we had ready for Hallowe'en. I run playschemes which take place during half term and it's ruined everything planned for next week. It was all locked away before. I think they must have known what they were looking for."

PC Darrell Dewar, Cwmbran Crime and Disorder Reduction Officer, said: ''This is a despicable crime that has upset many members of the community. A lot of time and energy has been put into fundraising to provide the facilities at the centre for the benefit of the local community. I would appeal for any information that would bring the offenders to justice.''

Anyone with information should call Gwent Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.