A CHESTER resident has set up a fundraising page to help an animal sanctuary which has been hit by thieves seven times in the past two months.

Danny Ellis has created the online Gofundme page for the benefit of Lache Animal Sanctuary, just off Green Lane, Chester.

The sanctuary, which is home to horses and donkeys, has now been hit seven times by criminals, who have stolen about £2,000 of items including generators, tools, cushions and even a wheelbarrow.

The latest in the series of burglaries happened on the night of Saturday, October 13 and saw a nine-inch serrated knife and a Victorian breadknife.

It has meant owner Archie Clive, 77, has had to travel from Holywell each time to clear up the mess left behind by the heartless thieves.

Danny said: "I saw the article in the Chester Standard and have started a fundraising page.

"I have set a target of £2,000 to help replace tools and get decent security and locks on store rooms.

"We can also fit a CCTV system – I have got someone who can fit it in. We just want to give them help and do as much as we can."

The fundraiser can be found at www.gofundme.com/lache-animal-sanctuary-fundraiser.

Anyone with any information about the thefts which could help police should contact Cheshire police on 101, quoting IML 212045, give the details via cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.