RAIDERS targeted two Cotswold community clubs causing more than £700 of damage and stealing £500.

Stow Rugby Club in Oddington Road, Stow-on-the-Wold was broken into between 10.30pm on Monday and 6am on Tuesday.

The following evening Sherborne Social Club was targeted and a safe containing £500 was stolen.

Wendy Smith, whose husband Mick helps run the social club, said: “These sort of places are hard to keep going anyway.

“When something like this happens there is always a loss to a voluntarily run club – it's heartbreaking.”

Villagers believe the thieves may have got in through the window because there was a footprint on the window sill.

Doors were damaged, the spirit cupboard prised open and bottles of alcohol taken.

“It is a big, heavy safe and I suppose these people will know the tricks of the trade to open it”, added Wendy.

At Stow Rugby Club the security key pad on the changing room door was disabled and the alarm was turned off.

There was no money in the till and, despite getting down into the cellar, the offenders escaped empty handed.

The alarm was raised when a caravan club who are camping on the ground reported the electricity had been cut off.

Club steward Amanda Rose said they are now faced with the inconvenience of repairing more than £700 of damage to doors.

She added: “It must have been in desperation.

“They messed with charity boxes, which contained only eight pence.

“They obviously just wanted money, they haven't taken anything – just broken things and a few keys were taken from behind the bar.

“I don't think this is just children messing around, it seems they are obviously people who are targeting social clubs in the area.”

The stolen keys, for changing rooms, were later found dumped in a car park in Shipston- on-Stour.

The police are investigating the incidents and whether they are linked.