A window cleaner has been left struggling to do his job after his work car was stolen.

Jason Clark, of Trinity Street, Halstead has left his black Nissan Navara 4x4 parked in the car park off of Hedingham Road, Halstead, for the last five months.

However, between 6.30pm last Thursday, and 7am on the Friday, the car, and all the window cleaning equipment in it, was stolen.

The car has distinctive lettering on its sides and back.

Mr Clark, who set up company Sparkle Bright Window Cleaning 15 years ago, said: “The car itself is worth about £5,000 and the equipment is another £2,500.

“The vehicle was eight years old.

“It’s daft because there was the same vehicle in the car park which was only two years old, but it was mine that was taken.”

He believes it was taken to be used in other criminal activities, as it is fitted with a tow bar and the cost of removing the lettering and painting to then be able to resell it would mean very little profit would be made.

“I’ve built up the company over the last 15 years,” Mr Clark said.

“I’ve finally been able to afford a nice vehicle and not a little run around.

“When I saw that it had gone, I felt sick in the stomach.

“I have 1,100 customers and employ a member of staff.”

He has been able to buy a cheap car and will pick up new equipment from his supplier in Ipswich to enable him to carry on working.

He added: “It’s cost me a lot of money.”

He is fully insured and has reported the theft to the police.

The registration of the car is FB04 VRY.

Witnesses are asked to call Essex Police on 101.