A GARDEN nursery has been left “shocked and upset” after burglars took 27 battery cells from the Bournemouth site.

The incident at Cherry Tree Nursery in Northbourne saw thieves take the batteries from two former milk floats after breaking in.

The vehicles have now been rendered out of action for the foreseeable future, with staff unsure on replacing the stolen goods.

The floats, which were donated to the nursery many years ago, are used on a daily basis to transport large quantities of plants around the complex.

Tish Borrowman, manager of Cherry Tree Nursery, said: “Each milk float requires 14 cells, which join together. We are now left with just one cell that was left behind and I imagine they are expensive.

“The difficulty is that even if we did replace them now people know that they are there and we could easily be targeted again, so it’s tough to know if we will ever use the vehicles again.

“For me it is stealing from a charity which hurts the most.

“Stealing from people who are struggling with life themselves and trying to do good for others.

“It makes you very sad that people can do this to a charity.”

Ms Borrowman said police believe the batteries were targeted due to the resale value of the lead that each of them contains.

She said the thieves made a hole in a fence and also cut padlocks.

The nursery has CCTV footage of the incident.

Cherry Tree Nursery, which has been running since 1990, provides sheltered work opportunities for people with severe and enduring mental illnesses.

Currently, a group of more than 100 volunteers assist in maintaining the successful nursery.

“Overall everyone is shocked and upset really. We’re at a bit of a loss at what we should do next,” Ms Borrowman added.

The incident has been reported to police, who said an investigation was ongoing.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: “We received a report of a burglary at Cherry Tree Nursery off New Road in Bournemouth.

“Incident was reported to us on Thursday, November 16, but it is believed to have occurred overnight between 4pm on Wednesday and 7am on Thursday.”