A community hero has been left in a state of shock after burglars broke into his home while he was asleep and stole cameras worth £800.

Amateur photographer Brian Wilmer, who is well-known in Witham for spending his time collecting litter in the town park, said the thieves would not deter him from his hobby.

Burglars unlocked the back door of his Witham home by reaching through the catflap, before stealing the two £400 Panasonic Lumix cameras.

Friends are rallying round to raise money to buy him a new camera.

See this week's Braintree and Witham Times for the full story.