The British Legion in Corsham has been left devastated after intruders stole a safe containing over £3,000.

The Legion’s headquarters on Newlands Road were broken into overnight on Monday September 11, and the safe containing the week’s takings was removed.

Mike Carpenter chairman of the Corsham branch, said: “It was two weeks ago, on that Monday night we had all the bad weather.

“They jemmied in through the outside door and walked off with the safe, which took four of us to bring it in when we first got it.

“It had the takings from the legion for the week previous, and we had just had the machines emptied, plus about £250 from the lady who does the bingo. All in all it works out at around £3,500.”

The legion rarely keeps such large amounts in its safe, which had been due to be emptied that day.

Mr Carpenter said: “Normally I will go in on Monday morning and do the banking, but because of all the bad weather I was worried about my children up north, so I waited in and was going to go do it on Tuesday.

“I got a phone call from the club steward sounding very distressed, and said we had been robbed, so I went straight to the legion and called the police, but I don’t think they are getting any closer.

“The members weren’t so much angry, as upset.

“Everybody is going without at the moment, and to get robbed so close to Christmas is soul-destroying.

“We’re having a chat with a local builder and he is going to get us some new security doors for all round the back. It’s after the horse has bolted, but hopefully we will be safe in the future.”

Anyone with any information about the theft is asked to contact Wiltshire Police on 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.