A nappy nabbing burglar has targeted the same nursery three times.

On New Year's joint-owner of Wanstead's Treehouse Nursery School Paul Samouelle visited the premises to turn on the heating.

He noticed the lights were on and the windows open, prompting him to search the building and check the CCTV.

The footage revealed a man had entered the property at 7pm, smashing open the staff lockers, stealing their Christmas chocolate gifts from children and a laptop before making off with 24 packs of nappies worth £400.

Eleven days later the cameras caught the same man stealing nappies from a store cupboard.

Not willing to stand by and see his business be plundered of costly supplies, Mr Samouelle staged a stake-out on January 13.

He said: "That night I was waiting for him.

"I was looking out the window and saw someone climbing over the gate.

"I called the police because I promised my wife I would not confront him. He went back into the nappy shed.

"The police missed him by about 40 seconds."

In total Mr Samouelle has spent £1,700 replacing nappies, gloves and a laptop.

The 51-year-old added: "It was disgusting that someone would target a local nursery.

"I have been director for 27 years and we have had no other break ins.

"All the staff are upset."

There has been no arrest but police enquiries continue.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101, quoting CAD7543/13jan, or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.