Copper thieves have effectively written off a three-storey Cinderford office building after they caused £80,000 damage stripping it.

Copper pipes, water tanks, radiators and other components of the hot water system were stolen from all three floors leaving the building flooded.

Building owner Lionel Jones said the cost of refitting the premises in Valley Road would probably not be worth doing so.

"The damage is horrendous," said Lionel.

"The way we found out was when we went to investigate a flood. There was water flowing out under the front door and it was four inches deep in some rooms.

"There would have been some scrap value in what was taken but nothing compared to the amount of damage that was done.

"I got an estimate of how much it would cost to refit the place and it was between £70,000 and £80,000.

"I don't think it's going to be worth repairing it."

The building, known as the Enterprise Centre, was the former HQ of Ensors, which moved to a new site on the Forest Vale Industrial Estate at the end of last year.

The kitchens of charity Age Concern also used to be housed on the third floor of the building.

After the building was vacated it was boarded up by Mr Jones, who said thieves had managed to force their way in after climbing a fire escape.

The copper was taken from the Enterprise Centre sometime in the last two weeks.

It is believed the thieves may have been on the site for several days after forcing entry to the building sometime between 9am

on Saturday, December 22 and 3.40pm on Tuesday, January 8.

Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area or with any information is urged to call the police on 101, quoting incident 273 of January 8.