Teachers and children at Sherston School, which only opened in February, have been left reeling after a burglar stole £4,800 of computer equipment.

The raider gained entry by breaking a window but he was disturbed by two teachers who went to investigate after the burglar alarm sounded at 6.15pm on Friday.

Standing at one end of the corridor, they saw the hooded thief at the other end, before he slipped into a classroom and escaped through a fire exit.

Eight police officers with dogs launched a hunt for the burglar without success.

The equipment stolen included an Ergo Ensis laptop computer, a black Ergo laptop carry case and a silver Epson overhead projector.

Headteacher Nick Bowditch said the staff who came across the thief were left shaken.

He said: "The teachers thought they had left a door open they were not expecting to find anyone. Afterwards I could see they were both very shocked. We have also reassured the children that these people will not be there again."

Mr Bowditch added that new security features were being added to the £1.2million building, which opened three months ago after the school moved from its old High Street premises.

He said: "I feel saddened by the burglary. A lot of villagers have also expressed their support."

The burglar is described as a white man, between 5ft6 and 5ft8 and wearing a navy blue hooded top with the hood up at the time of the crime.