The Ross Weather Station was the target of another attempted break in last week.

When one of the volunteer weather observers arrived to make readings at 10 o'clock on Wednesday morning it was noticed that the compound had been broken in to.

The chain link fence had been split apart and someone had climbed through. An attempt had been made to steal the glass sphere from the sunshine recorder but had fortunately failed.

The equipment for the Ross Weather Station was kindly provided by the Met Office when it re-opened as The Mayor's Project in 1985. The Campbell-Stokes Sunshine Recorder was stolen in 1998 and there was an outcry reported in the Ross Gazette and the regional TV news. There was an appeal for its safe return and after a few days it was thrown over a garden fence with only minor damage. It was soon reinstated. It is essential equipment for the Weather Station but it is worthless to anyone else.

Dr Andrew Rogers, the current Observer in Charge told The Ross Gazette: "The vandals trampled over the ground thermometers and it is amazing that they survived intact. One delicate thermometer with a ninety degree bend would be irreplaceable."

Dr Rogers has made repairs and reported the incident to the Police who would be grateful for any information on 0300 333 3000.