A volunteer-based gardening and handyman service has been grounded after a van containing equipment was raided at the weekend.

The Grassroots Project, which carries out gardening and housework for the disabled and elderly, had all of its £3,000 worth of equipment taken in the theft. The equipment was seized during one night while the van was parked outside the Bingley home of one of its volunteers.

Project manager Gary Pedley said: "The van was parked overnight in Bingley when the perpetrators came along, cut out the window at the back of the van and emptied it. They took lawn mowers, strimmers, chainsaws, as well as drills and tools totalling about £3,000. They have not just done this on spec but done this knowing that they would be there."

He said the project was run by a team of six volunteers working three days a week to carry out gardening and other services.

This year it has already helped more than 200 people and over its nine-year existence has assisted more than 1,000 people.

Mr Pedley, who had taken time off his holiday to sort out the insurance claim, added: "Because of these not-so-nice people they have put all that in jeopardy.

"If they realised who is suffering they might rethink.

Mr Pedley, pictured right, added: "If they have just a bit of human kindness in their bodies they might return the equipment."

He said the service would be forced to remain inactive for about three weeks until the insurance claim was guaranteed.