Windows were smashed, doors kicked in and money stolen from a newly-opened coffee shop in Dorchester.

The Gathering Place at Nappers Mite on South Street was broken into at the weekend, just three weeks after opening its doors.

Owner Mike Lout said he was 'frustrated' by the set back in his business as he had invested a lot of time and money into it.

Mr Lout said: "I came into work on the Saturday and they was just glass everywhere.

"They broke in through a window at the back, came through and smashed a door in, then smashed another window.

"We had a tip jar on the side which was stolen, but we don't keep our takings in the shop overnight.

"The building is an ancient one and the windows will cost about £1,000 to £2,000 to fix.

"There is a CCTV camera at the back which caught them.

"I did expect us to be broken into at some point, we're the new business on the block. It's just so frustrating.

"The police were here on the Saturday which was great, but because of what happened we lost a whole day of takings."

Mr Lout said that since opening The Gathering Place business had being doing exceptionally well, with a warm welcome from the community.

He added that he hopes anyone who saw anything suspicious would come forward and talk to police.

Mr Lout said: "Unfortunately for the burglar, they knocked over a tin of syrup so their footprints were everywhere - hopefully they are caught soon."

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "We were called at 7.30am on Saturday, June 9 reporting a burglary at The Gathering Place on South Street in Dorchester.

"It was reported to have happened sometime between 6pm on Friday, June 8 and 7.05am on Saturday, June 9.

"Enquiries are ongoing but no arrests have yet been made."

Witnesses or anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101 or contact them via their website at dorset.police.uk quoting crime number 55180088316.