The owner of a family-run nursery in Cheshire says she is living "a nightmare" after thieves broke in and stole thousands of pounds' worth of growing equipment.
The night-time break-in occurred at Tree Tops Nursery in Over Peover near Knutsford, Cheshire, around 3am yesterday, Tuesday, November 26.

Owner Cheryl Hurst told diyweek.net that CCTV pictures showed that three people, probably all men, had carried out the theft. "They took the glass out of the glasshouse and kicked all the boarding down," she said.

The main loss was around £25,000-worth of hydroponics equipment but the thieves also took Christmas decorations, bringing the total value of goods stolen to some £30,000.

"It's a bit of a nightmare because some of this stuff wasn't paid for because it was on account, so it's a huge loss. I have to find the money," said Ms Hurst. "We've also got to pay for Christmas trees on top of that, and we're a small family business. The insurance never pay out the full amount so we lose, always."

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, the roots standing only in nutrient-enriched water and sometimes also a medium such as gravel or clay pebbles. It offers several advantages to growers, including higher yields, faster growth and year-round production, and along with legitimate applications is often used for the illegal cultivation of cannabis.

Tree Tops Nursery is well known for its specialisation in hydroponics, having set up demonstration areas and a dedicated hydroponics shop offering a wide choice of systems, feeds and lights.

"We have a sign on the gate and advertise," said Ms Hurst, adding that she thought the hydroponics equipment had been the thieves' main target because of its high value.

She said that police were now studying the CCTV footage, and they are also appealing for witnesses.

A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said: "At 3.21am an alarm was activated at TreeTops Nursery in Holmes Chapel Road in Over Peover. The keyholder alerted police, and officers are now establishing exactly what has been stolen and following a number of lines of enquiry.

"Anyone with information about the crime should contact Knutsford Neighbouring Policing Unit on 101 quoting the incident number 50 of November 26 2013. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."