TWO Cranbrook wine merchants face financial hardship this season after suffering yet another pre-Christmas burglary.

Perfect Partners, in Stone Street, lost several uninsured cases of wine, beer and cider worth a total of £1,500 when raiders smashed a storeroom window in the early hours of Tuesday morning and made off with their loot in two stolen wheelbarrows.

Owners Richard and Rosemary Clarke, who have run the shop since 1988, said they believe the crime had been committed by the same "lowlifes" who burgled them 12 months ago.

Mr Clarke said: "I suspect it is the same people as in 2008. Last year they ripped down the door, this year they came in through a window.

"It suspect it was some lowlifes who wanted some wine for Christmas. They probably think that because we have posh stuff in here then we must make lots of money. That's not the case."

Mrs Clarke said security had been increased after the first burglary, including putting up barbed wire to prevent intruders climbing over a fence from the Cranbrook School grounds, but to no avail.

The Clarkes' business, already under pressure due to the recession, has been put under great strain by the two thefts, a double whammy they describe as the worst situation they have had to face in 21 years in business.

Mr Clarke said: "This is our most important trading period of the year and it has caused us some major problems. For one reason or another it wasn't insured so we have basically lost a month's takings.

"Effectively we've got to create another £7,000 or £8,000 of sales in order to pay for it because our margins aren't that great. That's equivalent to the whole of February's sales, which doesn't come easily."

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed suspicious activity near the shop between 10am on November 23 and 3.30pm the following day to come forward.

A spokesman said: "Police have commenced an investigation and have confiscated some items for forensic examination. Officers are keen to hear from people if they are aware of bottles of wine being offered for sale outside usual selling channels."

Mr Clarke added: "I'm absolutely furious. When I discovered the stock was missing on Tuesday I was quite willing to shut the shop down and call it day.

"The only bright spot is that they drank three cans of Polish lager which we were given three years ago and I would be extremely happy if it made them ill."

Anyone with information on the theft can contact police on 01732 379217.