STAFF at a gardening project in Abergavenny have praised the community for their support after equipment worth up to £2,500 was stolen from their workshop.

Greenfingers, a social service which gets those with learning disabilities involved in horticultural activities, has now purchased new equipment to continue its work in the area.

As the Argus previously reported, two Stihl strimmers, two Stihl backpack leaf blowers and a Stihl hedge cutter were all taken from a portable building at the Melville Centre in Pen Y Pound Road in the burglary last month.

Gareth Jones, who has served as one of Greenfingers’ enablement officers for 10 years, thanked residents for their offers of help afterwards.

“The community have been supportive right from the beginning,” said Mr Jones.

“We received several offers of financial help and a lot of messages of support and shares for the appeal on Facebook.”

Mr Jones said the county council had also purchased new equipment for the project and that security has been tightened at the site.

“On a personal level it was upsetting but most of all it is upsetting for the people that use the service,” added Mr Jones.

“It has made me totally paranoid thinking that this could happen again.

“I have had sleepless nights because if it did happen again it could result in something like this not being able to operate.”

Gwent Police is continuing to appeal for information to trace the burglars.

A spokeswoman for the force said: “We are continuing to appeal for information after a burglary at the drama centre un Abergavenny which is believed happened overnight on July 20 or in the early hours of the morning of July 21.

“Two strimmers and a hedgecutter, with a combined value of an estimated £2,500, were stolen.”

Greenfingers is part of the Monmouthshire council service My Day My Life, which gives those with learning difficulties a chance to join with mainstream community activities.

Monmouthshire councillor Penny Jones, the cabinet member for social care and health, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Monmouthshire County Council who have stepped in to replace the equipment. This will now enable the group to continue to help so many people across Monmouthshire. There has been a tremendous amount of support the community, it really is a very important project for the area and I am extremely glad it is up and running. The staff at Greenfingers would like to thank the public for their support. I know a lot of people called in to offer their help.”

Call 101, quoting log 100 21/7/17 with any information.