A HANDYMAN who launched his own business less than six months ago has had hundreds of pounds worth of tools stolen.

Scott Plant, 43, of Brightlingsea, lost all his tools, including a kitchen worktop router, drill, and chop saw, from the site where he was working.

Two toolboxes filled with spanners, screwdrivers and other essential kit were also stolen.

He left the tools on site at the weekend, but when he returned on Monday, everything had gone.

Mr Plant said the crooks had left him about £600 out of pocket.

He said: “There were just lots of bits I have collected over the last ten or 15 years.

“It affects everything. I’ve got to go and buy stuff, which is going to take a while. I can’t go out and spent hundreds of pounds on tools.”

Three other workers also lost equipment, including generators.

Mr Plant believes about £4,000 worth of equipment was taken from the site, in Main Road, Harwich.

He set up his business in October after losing his job. He had always been into DIY and had done a number of small projects, but decided to try to turn it into a trade.

He is determined his business will continue.

“I’m not going to let it depress me because it’s only tools, but it is a financial burden,” said Mr Plant.

Anyone with information should call Essex Police on 101.