A BUSINESSMAN says he is "struggling" after mindless thieves stole valuable tools from his van.

Landscape builder John Campbell-Muir, from Woodlands, in Evesham, was shocked to find his van had been broken into overnight on Monday, November 28, last year.

Power tools including three chainsaws, a hired strimmer, two Makita stone cutters, two 18-volt drills and Bosh hammer drill were taken – making it difficult for Mr Campbell-Muir to do his job.

Since the theft, the 52-year-old says he has been losing work and was forced to rely on the foodbank over Christmas.

"I have done very little work since Christmas, I'm losing jobs because I haven't got the money in the bank to pay for the materials up front," he said.

"I'm struggling, I'm just trying to survive at the moment."

Mr Campbell-Muir started building his business – Muirs of Evesham – around four years ago and employs four apprentices.

In June 2015, he was among the tradesmen who helped out the DIY SOS: Big Build team in Eckington, near Pershore.

The show saw hundreds of Worcestershire volunteer builders come to the rescue of 17-year-old Antonia Payne-Cheney, who suffers with a debilitating condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

"To steal a working man's tools is a heinous crime," said Mr Campbell-Muir, who estimates the tools will cost around £4,000 to replace.

"It [the business] took me four years to build up, they have put me back three years. I'm now struggling.

"For me to try and replace all this, it is going to take me a year."

West Mercia Police is appealing for information about the theft.

A spokesman said: "On Monday, November 28 West Mercia Police received a report that a number of items were removed from a van on Woodlands road.

"West Mercia Police are appealing for anyone who has information relating to this incident to contact us on 101 referencing 067S of 28 November."