USERS of an adult social care service were left fuming after thieves made off with their beloved barbecue.

Workers at One Step Ahead, a day centre for adults with learning difficulties in South Marston, had last week set about cleaning the large unit in preparation for an forthcoming day in the sun, only to return yesterday morning to find it had been taken.

Service manager Jacky Pike said: “I don’t know why someone would take it.

“It was outside round the back because it was being cleaned and everybody is just so upset because we all look forward to our barbecues.

“It was donated to us two years ago and we have used it well.

“It was definitely there last Thursday because we were getting it ready for the summer but we came in in the morning and it was gone. I cannot understand why they would do it.

“It was quite a heavy unit - it was black with a rounded lid and black legs.

“It would take two people to lift it.

“Where it was you could not see it from the road so I can only think somebody knew it was there and came back to take it. We have reported it to the police.

“We will have to sort something out for them even if it means the staff bring their own in because they really do enjoy them – only last week they were asking when we were going to have another one, seeing as the weather has been so good.”

Michelle White, a support worker for service user 22-year-old David Halliday said everyone had been left upset.

“They are mortified because they were planning their annual barbecue and now they can’t have one,” she said.

It has not been an easy few months for the service, which is provided by the Swindon Primary Care Trust, as in October it appeared to be under threat from cuts to Swindon Council’s adult social care budget.

But it was assured of survival after Leslie Lancett, whose daughter has used One Step Ahead for many years, collected a petition of 2,400 signatures and presented them to a meeting of the council.

Anyone with any information about the theft should contact Wiltshire Police on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.