SECURITY has been tightened at a Five Valley's aquatic centre after ram-raiders drove a lorry through the gates and stole goods worth £60,000.

Thieves stole marine equipment including pond pumps, filters, aquariums plus cash during the audacious raid at Aquajardin in Blooms Garden Centre near Stonehouse.

police believe the gang comprised of at least five members because a heavy safe weighing 300kg was also removed.

Following the raid, overnight between December 13 and 14, extra lighting has been installed and more surveillance cameras added.

Peter Wheeler, owner and founder of the business, said: "We have boosted security from all angles.

"The raid was totally shocking and we all felt completely gutted by the whole thing.

"No one expected anything like it because the premises are all securely locked but they used immense force to get in.

"It really was a major haul and the fact they used a 7.5-tonne vehicle to force entry into the centre shows it was also well-organised.

"There wasn't much damage done to the shop inside but they had ransacked the offices and staff room.

"Luckily though no damage was done to any of the livestock."

The centre - which opened in 1993 and is the largest of its kind in the county - reopened the day after the raid.

Police are studying CCTV footage. Anyone with information should call police on 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.