“DISGUSTING” thieves burgled a care home and left residents' without the winter entertainment that they will not be able to afford to replace.

The criminals stripped the communal lounge bare of electronic equipment at Sanders House in Ingram Crescent West, Hove, and made off with electronics and their television set.

Residents believe the thieves must have “tailgated” their way in through the home’s security door to steal the items.

The residents use the television set for entertainment and to exercise using fitness DVDs and said they need it more than ever during the winter as they are less mobile.

The property is a sheltered housing and retirement block and police are now trying to trace the burglars.

Beverley Weaver, 50, resident of the block, said the theft was “disgusting” and added the thieves must have followed someone through the security door.

Ms Weaver said: “They took our TV, our Wii games machine, the DVD player, and this is the time of year we need it.

“It is disgusting to burgle the sick and the elderly. We do not have the money to replace it.”

She added: “They literally left the bracket on the wall and I just hope somebody might know something or someone who might be selling something – so we can let them know it is stolen, and stolen from elderly people.

“It also causes worries and concerns as we think somebody might have got access to the building and you automatically think of that when you hear a knock on your door. The community room also now has to be constantly locked.”

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Police were called at around 10.50am on Monday to a report of a burglary at a property in Ingram Crescent West, Hove.

“It is believed a number of electrical items including a television and DVD player were taken sometime between Saturday evening and Monday morning.

“Police are investigating and anyone with information is asked to either email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting reference 0415 of 23/11.”