THIEVES raided fuel supplies at Bridport Medical Centre prior to a vaccination clinic - leaving the vaccinating team unable to keep vulnerable patients warm.

The vaccinating team discovered yesterday that the centre's fuel bowser, which supplies fuel for its marquee generator - used to keep older patients warm whilst awaiting their appointment - had been broken into overnight.

Fuel and an electric pump were stolen. The generator's hose had also been removed, resulting in team members being unable to refuel the generator.

The clinic was going ahead to provide those in the 80 and above cohort with a second vaccination, along with some people in cohorts six and seven receiving their first vaccinations.

A spokesman for the medical centre said: "The vaccinating team were shocked to discover today that our fuel bowser had been broken into overnight.

"We were hosting a vaccination clinic for our patients over 80 year old, who were returning for their second vaccination. We risked not being able to heat the marquee, needed to keep our most vulnerable community members warm.

"The only dampener on an otherwise wonderful day vaccinating."

Thankfully, Wizard Marquees were able to get down to the centre to fix the problem and to get the generator back up and running. The clinic was then able to go ahead as planned.

Another clinic will be going ahead this Saturday, March 20.

The centre has requested that anyone with information on the incident contact the police, or the centre staff.