THIEVES in balaclavas have stolen a safe from a Hampshire brewery in a historic Southampton building.

Two people forced their way into the Dancing Man Brewery, at the Wool House, in Town Quay causing thousands of pounds of damage.

This is the third time it has been targeted by burglars since it opened six months ago.

Thieves got in using jemmies to force a solid wood door that cost £3,000 to install, splitting the wood.

Once inside they found the safe, threw it off the balcony and hauled it down a spiral staircase and outside.

Landlord Stewart Cross said he had run over once the alarm sounded as he lives nearby but was not quick enough to catch the thieves who were in and out in two minutes.

He was unwilling to say how much money had been taken but said it was three or four days' takings.

The venue is offering a £500 reward for information that leads to a conviction.

The 14th century building, previously the city’s maritime museum, was targeted on the May Bank Holiday and in late March, said Mr Cross.

"All the hard work we've put into the place, they're coming in and in two minutes and taking it all," he said.

"It's pretty depressing and quite sad.

"You think what's the point of working all those long hours when these people won't do a day's work?"

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time of the burglary, which happened between 4am and 4.30am on Tuesday September 1, and has information to call police on 101.