Nearly £1,000 has been stolen during an overnight break-in at a popular Lowestoft restaurant.

Thieves used a hammer and chisel to forcefully enter Sgt. Peppers, in High Street, between 10.30pm on Tuesday, November 14 and 8am the following day.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward and help bring those responsible to justice.

A police spokesman said: 'Access was forced to the rear of the property and a cash till was stolen, which contained a quantity of cash and keys.

'The till and a number of keys were later recovered by a member of the public who made the discovery along the beach.'

Manager Joanne Smith has spoken of the impact the break-in has had on staff at the restaurant.

She said: 'There was certainly an uneasy feeling for everyone the following day especially knowing the brutality of the force used to get in but everyone has come together.

'They used a chisel around the frame of the door then knocked the door through with a hammer.'

'They took all the loose change, wage packets, tips, even a whip round for an upcoming birthday.'

Although the experience has left some members of staff shaken Mrs Smith believes the business was fortunate to be in a position to deal the loss of money.

She said: 'It's hurtful that something like this can happen but we are actually very lucky.

'That amount of money being stolen could be the end for a lot of businesses.

'We managed to get enough money together for a float and were able to continue trading the next day.'

Mrs Smith added: 'It's disappointing that anybody could do this to a small business. Were they desperate or were they greedy?

'If anyone has any information, please tell the police.

'If the police are able to catch them soon it could save another business from going through what we are going through.'

Anyone with information, who may know the identity of those responsible, or who may have witnessed suspicious activity is urged to contact Suffolk Police on 101 quoting reference 73592/17.