The Drifters suffer £8,000 tour bus burglary

The Drifters who have had some £8,000 worth of equipment stolen from their tour bus. (PA)

US soul group The Drifters have had some £8,000 worth of equipment stolen from their tour bus.

The current members of the band, known for hits such as Saturday Night at the Movies and Up on the Roof, had stopped for a meal at the Wilford Farm Inn on Clifton Lane in Nottingham on their way up to begin the Scottish leg of their 2012 Masquerade Tour when the break-in occurred.

The window of the minibus was smashed and equipment and personal items stolen from the vehicle, Nottinghamshire Police said.

Laptops, iPads, mobile phones and keys were among items taken in the break-in, which happened around 8pm on Monday.

Kathy Mashadi, the band's manager, said: "As you can imagine the four Drifters, Michael Williams, Ryan King, Carlton Powell and Pierre Herelle, are very upset as lots of these devices are their method of keeping in touch with their families whilst on tour and there was also photos of family and friends that cannot be replaced.

"Locks have had to be changed, cards cancelled and numerous calls made as well as replacing the glass of the windows of the tour bus and continuing the journey to Scotland."

But she confirmed that the show "would go on" with the band kicking off their nine-date Scottish tour at the Concert Hall in Motherwell tonight as planned.

"Obviously we are all very upset about this and hope that some of our items are returned. We would like to thank all of our fans for their kind words and support," she added.

Since their launch in 1953, more than 65 vocalists have performed as part of The Drifters, including Clyde McPhatter, Ben E King, Rudy Lewis and Johnny Moore.

The current line up perform the group's greatest hits along with new songs.

Nottinghamshire Police have appealed for anyone with information on the break-in to contact them on 101.

PA