A scout group has been left devastated after the theft of its uninsured trailer containing camping equipment worth up to £15,000.

The 21st Epping Forest South troop, based at St. Gabriel's Church Hall in Aldersbrook, now faces an anxious wait to find out if their trip to the Isle of Wight in two weeks will be cancelled.

Dean Gibson, 21st Scout Leader, 48, said: "It is annoying from an adult’s perspective but for the sake of the kids, from their point of view, it’s sad because for some of them it was going to be their only holiday."

Mr Gibson said he did a "double take" when he found the white trailer missing on Friday lunchtime.

"My heart sunk," he said.

"I immediately thought of the children, of the camp that was coming and the successful last one for the Aldersbrook Primary School, where it was the Year Three’s first time camping.

"Scout groups everywhere have struggled to find anyone who will insure their equipment and it has been left up to God until now."

Police are investigating the theft and not arrests have been made.

For more on this story see this week's Wanstead & Woodford Guardian - out on Thursday.