POLICE are appealing for information after thousands of pounds of landscape gardening equipment was stolen from a house in Binsted while the occupant was in hospital.

Candy Mason told the Alton Herald that her 54-year-old dad Mark, who lives at Hay Place Farm and is currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, had been admitted to hospital with a virus.

While he was away, over the night of October 9/10, thieves stole all the equipment he needs to run his business.

The callous theft of all the equipment he needs to run his business is believed to have occurred in the early hours of last Saturday, according to the police.

Miss Mason said it was “pretty disgusting that people can do this” as now her father is unable to work and fears he might lose the house that he rents.

“He has nothing,” she said. “Absolutely everything is gone and now he’s much worse with the stress of it.”

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman explained that a John Deere sit-on green and yellow mower, worth around £1,500, and a trailer were stolen off the driveway despite the owner having tried to block it in.

Thieves also took tools, including three strimmers, by breaking into a locked shed.

Anyone with any information on the theft should contact Alton-based police community support officer David Nops on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.