“THE show will go on”, says Newport Firework committee after equipment used to stage the village’s popular annual display was stolen.

An estimated �5,000 worth of items, including electrical and catering equipment were taken from Newport Scout group headquarters in Frambury Lane.

Newport scouts, which help organise and manage the village’s firework display, use some of their equipment to provide sound and lighting for the event and also to provide catering. All the money raised by the display goes to charity.

Roger Cameron, Newport group scout leader and event manager for the firework display, described the incident as “very disappointing” but insisted the show will go ahead as proposed on Monday November 5.

“We have been running the event successfully for many years and this setback will not stop us,” he said.

“A lot of work has already been done and plans are well advanced. We are already looking at alternative sources for the equipment as insurance for the losses is unlikely to paid in time for the show.

“The most difficult item to replace is the water proof cables for the lighting. But we are confident that we will be ready and are looking forward to another great night and a big crowd.

“It’s a shame that we should have been targeted like this, but scouts are resourceful people and we shall go ahead as planned.”

The firework show is one of the highlights of the village calendar and is always well attended, attracting several thousand people from the surrounding area.

A spokesman for Essex police confirmed an investigation is ongoing into the circumstances of the burglary.

“The culprits behind this crime clearly have no thought for the community or for the boys and girls from this scout troop. We would like to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious activity at this location from that Sunday afternoon onwards to contact us as they could potentially be key witnesses,” he added.

The break-in happened between 3pm on Sunday September 23 and 7am the following morning. Burglars forced a rear door to get into the scout hut.

Anyone with information in connection with this burglary is urged to contact Essex Police on 101.