THIEVES raided the adult education centre in Pool at the weekend getting away with 45 laptop computers as well as flatscreen TVs worth over £48,000.

The break in took place at the Link into Learning centre in Chariot Road after the alarms both inside and out were cut allowing the thieves to get in undetected.

They then took all the high value equipment that they could ignoring everything else. Among the property stolen were 45 laptop computers - 13 LG make, 17inch, TFT computer monitors - a digital camera, some watches and cash. The value of the items stolen is estimated at around £48,000 and damage in the region of £1,000.

Despite already being open for a year, the centre was due to be officially opened on Thursday, an event that manager Mary Jewell said will still go ahead. But she says she is "gutted" by the theft of the equipment which is used to help people in the local community learn subjects such as maths and English.

"It means a lot of disruption for students because they couldn't come in today," she said. "All the new equipment has to be replaced.

"This raid was well thought out and they cut the alarm outside so when they cut it inside it didn't go off.

"I don't have words to describe the people who did this. We provide a full service for all members of the community.

"We are open to everybody. There is no discrimination. It is despicable what they have done."

Even the phonelines had been cut which meant students ringing the centre to find out about courses on a newly issued brochure could not get through.

The burglars are believed to have got in through a window after disabling the alarm which the centre inherited when staff moved in.

PC James Little at Camborne police station said the burglary was discovered at 8.15am on Monday.

"This resource was to be an invaluable aid to adult education in the area," he said.

"I would ask anyone with information about this burglary or the property stolen to contact Camborne police station on 08452 777 444 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, anonymously.

The police crime reference is AC/05/4279.