A LANDLORD has been left devastated after thieves raided his pub, stealing cash, fruit machines and alcohol, three months after opening.

Two men were caught on CCTV breaking into the Woodmans Arms, in Rayleigh Road, Thundersley, at about 2am on Sunday.

Landlord Neil Woodward is offering a cash reward for help to track down the burglars who have cost him up to £10,000 in lost stock and damages.

He said: “We are absolutely devastated to be honest.

“We have worked so hard to refurbish the place and restore it as a good, community pub and now all that is under threat.”

The two men broke in via a back gate before stealing cash from the tills and fruit machines.

They also stole expensive alcohol including specialist whiskey from Mr Woodward’s personal collection.

He added: “One of the bottles cost £1,100 and is irreplaceable. They also took bottles of beer and Red Bull from the fridge which presumably they just wanted for themselves.

“They clearly knew what they were doing.

“They were wearing gloves and masks.”

Mr Woodward has said anyone with information that leads to an arrest will be rewarded.

He said: “It has been my dream to run this pub for years and they have taken the most expensive stuff. We only just managed to reopen on Sunday.

“The incident has worried all of us and we feel very disheartened.

“We also have a family with a young boy living above the pub and they are very scared.”

CCTV captured one of the raiders rifling through belongings behind the bar.

So far, no arrests have been made.

If you know anything that may help, you can contact Essex Police on 101.

Alternatively, you can share information with Crimestoppers anonymously.