A 'BELOVED' local coffee van selling homemade French pastries and cakes has been broken into and ransacked by thieves.

The Wolseley St. Bakery coffee van in Tilehurst was broken into on Saturday, December 10, where thieves had smashed their way through the serving hatch, ripping it up and destroying the side of it.

They also stole the cash float from the van.

Davy set up the business during lockdown to bring a taste of France to the streets of Reading, 'working night and day to bring his delicious cakes and pastries to local foodie events'.

During the first lockdown, Davy created the magnificent 'Boîte Surprise' - a mystery box full of french treats for £15.

Davy worked with various other local chefs to create unique boxes that really showcased their skills, putting many on the Reading Indie food map.

He even sold bags of flour, sugar, eggs and butter all at cost-price when there were food shortages to help the community and keep people occupied.

In June, Davy was able to level up his business by taking over the coffee van which sits outside Tilehurst train station.

But the van was broken into just a couple of weeks before Christmas.

A fundraising page has been set up to help Davy get back on his feet again with more than £800 raised so far.

Charlie Bond, who set up the Just Giving page, said: "Not only did they cause hundreds of pounds worth of damage, the damage caused the van to lose takings in closures whilst it is repaired.

"It is beyond belief how someone could do this, to what is clearly such a beloved local van."

He supplied early morning commuters with his pastries and breads, as well as the all important coffee - utilising yet another Reading favourite - The Anonymous Coffee Co.

Ms Bond added: "Davy is such a wonderful proud man, and would never ask for help, especially not this time of year. However, he has brought so much joy to us for so long that we cannot stand by and watch him suffer these repairs alone.

"If you've ever been fortified by one of Davy's treats, please consider donating something small towards the repair so that the van can get back to doing what it does best, serving up great coffee and great pastries.

Even if it's just the price of the coffee you might have bought this morning, will help."

Visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/repairwolseleystvan?utm_term=NmqBEXe7G to donate.