A FAMILY are bracing themselves for a tough Christmas after burglars stole £15,000 worth of tools from their van.

Joiner Jamie Lockett has been forced to cancel jobs and spend Christmas savings on basic tools to keep him going since the theft, which happened between Wednesday, November 18, and the following day.

At first he thought his van had been broken into overnight on his drive at home, in Eaton Lane, in Davenham, where he lives with his wife Amy and four-year-old son Cole, but now he suspects that it happened while he was working in The Crescent, in Hartford, on Wednesday afternoon.

"It's just a kick in the teeth," Jamie said.

The burglars drilled the lock to get into the van and stole chop saws, nail guns and circular saws, among other items.

These were not covered by his home insurance as they are part of the business and are not covered under vehicle insurance because the van itself was not stolen.

Jamie has spent 10 years building up his business as a sole trader and and has recently set up a limited company, J Lockett Ltd, employing six people.

"I've been a sole trader for years on end, business got better and better and better and I started employing lads, the jobs started coming in thick and fast and now we were getting to the point where we could be comfortable," Jamie said.

"But now I'm down £15,000.

"The money we'd saved up for Christmas I've had to spend on tools.

"If I throw in the towel because of this that's six more lads and nearly eight more children who would have a terrible Christmas – it has a massive massive knock-on effect, not just ourselves.

"But we are where we are and I just home the police can find them."

Anyone with any information should ring Cheshire Police on 101.