Tayside Police have launched an investigation following the break in at Edzell Lethnot Parish Church, which took place sometime between 1 pm on Friday, November 13 and 8 am Monday, November 16.

The thieves ignored the collection of toys and made straight for a brand new black and silver Sony CD player and a Casio keyboard.

The new CD player had only just been purchased in September with funds that were raised by staff in a 15-mile sponsored walk this summer.

Manager Nicky Chapman has been left devastated by the theft, as the new CD player and keyboard were due to be used for next months' Christmas concert.

She is hopeful that something can be done to replace the player as soon as possible before the group's 30 children, aged between two and four, perform the Sleepy Shepherd on December 16.

She said: "Kim Middleton, the assistant manager, found it. There was a heavy padlock on the door and it had been smashed off.

"We had a charity walk to raise money for the CD player. It was £80 and we were going to use it for the big Christmas concert we've got coming up.

"Last year, our CD player wasn't very good and we thought we'd have a fundraiser and get a new one. We had 80 parents there last year and some of them couldn't hear it properly because the CD player wasn't loud enough.

"The keyboard was to be used for the concert too. It's terrible timing. We're all very, very sad because it's affecting little children.

"I cannot understand why anyone would do this. They are lowlifes."
The playgroup now have some difficult decisions to make ahead of their Christmas concert.

Nicky said: "It's going to be very difficult for us to practise now. We haven't got the money to go and get another one. If we were to claim it off the insurance we'll have to pay the excess. If we do that, the premium goes up. We'll also consider whether or not to put in CCTV and we have to replace the locks on the shed. This could cost us £500 by the time everything gets sorted."

Nicky also believes the thieves targeted the shed and must have known of its contents as two adjacent sheds were untouched.

The playgroup is to mark its 40th anniversary at the end of this month with a special fundraising dinner function in the Glen Esk Hotel, with special guest Andrea Brymer.

With a need to raise £4,000 a year to meet running costs, insurance, equipment, art materials and staff wages, the event won't help replace the stolen equipment.

If anyone has information about the theft of the keyboard and CD player or they should contact Tayside Police on 0300 111 2222 or speak to any officer.

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.