A film-maker could be forced to close his company after thieves broke into his workshop and stole nearly £9,000 worth of equipment.

Christopher Watling set up Jasper Audio Visual 15 years ago and the film company has been his pride and joy ever since.

But now the dad-of-two fears the business will have to fold because the equipment was not insured and has put up a £1,000 reward for its recovery and the conviction of the thieves.

Mr Watling, 43, said: "It is just too expensive to insure it. I would be paying out more in insurance than I would be making from any work I did.

"I started up the company 15 years ago as a part-time job because making films is something I love doing.

"But now I may have to close down because so much of the equipment was irreplaceable and very expensive."

Mr Watling, of Church Road, Rawreth, films plays and children's shows. He then edits the shows to sell to parents.

Mr Watling said: "I was going to film a show next week but now I may have to cancel unless I get my equipment back."

The burglars, who smashed a window to get into the outdoor workshop, took seven video recorders, an audio mixing desk, three cameras and a set of speakers as well as additional pieces of equipment. PC Alan Pritchard, of Rayleigh police, confirmed video equipment had been stolen from the workshop at around 11am last Friday.

Police were looking for three people seen by a neighbour leaving the area at around the same time.

The two men and a woman were in a red car which was being driven by the woman. She was described as being between 20 and 30 years old, possibly Asian, with dark hair in a pony tail.

The two men were both described as being in their 20s, white, with short dark hair and wearing casual clothes. One of them had a white baseball cap.

Anyone with information should contact Rayleigh CID on 01268 775533 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Business under threat - Chris in the trailer with a camera identical to the one stolen

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.