AN ELECTRICIAN is devastated after losing his livelihood overnight.

Thieves not only took all of Lee Morris's tools - they also deliberately crashed his van and set it on fire.

Father-of-two Mr Morris estimates the loss to be worth more than £6,000.

He said: "What can I say? My livelihood was in that van and now it's all gone.

"They weren't content taking my tools - they had to smash up the van as well.

"I'm gutted."

Mr Morris, 32, of Chickerell Road, Weymouth, is married to Emma, 30, and they have two sons - Caleb, six, and Ben, four.

He was planning a morning shopping trip to Asda to buy food for a joint birthday party for his sons when he noticed the white Ford Escort van missing from outside his home.

He rang the police and later discovered the van had been dumped nearby in a track next to The Marsh.

Mr Morris said: "It looks like it was driven up the path to the Rodwell Trail and then down again, ramming into two reinforced pillars. They must have hurt themselves doing it.

"The van was cleared out before being set on fire. The main damage is at the front but the garage tells me it's a complete write-off."

There was an assortment of hand and power tools in the van including expensive drills plus two stepladders, electrical devices, cable, a CD car stereo, a wallet containing cards and cash, driving documents, two mobile phones and a Game Boy computer console.

Some of the equipment has Mr Morris's name and SF Electrical stamped on it.

Mr Morris said: "I couldn't believe it when I found out.

"It's a nightmare to deal with when you've got bills and a mortgage to pay.

"I've got a hire van sorted out for a week and I'm just hoping the insurance company will pay out, otherwise I will be stuck."

West Weymouth police would like to hear from people who saw anything suspicious in the area of Chickerell Road early on Saturday and anyone who may be offered tools at a reduced price.

Contact 01305 222222 in confidence.