A MUCH-loved community centre, which was broken into twice in one night, needs to raise £1,500 to protect it from criminals.

More than £900 was stolen from the Pill Social Centre last month, with damage also caused to the bar and a fire door.

This was the first time the hall had be broken into since 1947, when the hall was left in trust to the local community.

Determined not to leave themselves open to further incidents, the trustees contacted Darrel Walters of the Walters Group, which agreed not only to install and alarm system and CCTV cameras, but also to allow the trustees to fundraise to cover the cost.

So far, donations have come from a range of local businesses and group, including the Rotary Club, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, The Herald and Slimming World.

But a further £1,500 is needed to help pay for the system, and keep the centre safe for the groups who rely on it.

Cllr Colin Sharp, mayor of Milford Haven and trustee of the centre said: "It's times like this when the community of Milford Haven rallies around to help.

"It is reassuring to know the hall has security now and the trustees and volunteers would like to thank Darrel Walters and those that have donated so far.

"But we still need to raise more than £1,500, and every penny we can raise will help.

"This is a community hall, built by the community and run by the community totally voluntarily. "

If you can help the hall with a donation, please send it to the Pill Social Centre, c/o 4 Coombs Drive, Milford Haven, SA73 2NZ.