Harpenden scout members have been left heartbroken after thieves broke in and stole £7,000 worth of windows as part of their new £275,000 scout hut project.

The 9th Harpenden Scout Group Headquarters, based in Luton Road, was broken into last weekend by thieves who stole seven windows, which were due to be used as part of the scout hut rebuild.

Police say the break-in happened between 5pm on Friday, February 21, and 8am on Sunday, February 23.

Group scout leader, Elisabeth Grover said: "This is heartbreaking for our scout families who have spent time raising funds for the new building.

"We have been working really hard as a group together with our corporate funders, to raise the money for this exciting project."

The scout hut is set to open on April 26 and families at the 9th Harpenden Scout Group have been working hard towards raising funds for the building, which will stand on the site of the old pre-fabricated hut which was donated to the Scouts by NatWest in the 1070's.

The community hub aims to provide a multi-purpose, spacious, well-equipped and secure facilities to provide a daytime nursery, fitness classes and clubs as well as community meetings.

Ms Grover said: "We have been looking forward to our official opening day and hope that this doesn't set us back."

A spokesperson from the police added: "Due to the size of the windows it is believed the offenders would have needed to have to have used a van.

"Whilst this is a remote location I would appeal to anyone who may have been in the area between these times and saw anything suspicious to contact the Herts Police non-emergency number 101."