An anonymous Good Samaritan has put £120 into the Poppy Appeal after joyriders stole from tins in a collector’s car.

Royal British Legion member Brian Pratt was horrified to discover his car missing from his driveway in Kingsley Road, Chippenham.

The 70-year-old had spent hours standing in the cold collecting at Leigh Delamere service station ahead of Remembrance Sunday.

His damaged Jaguar was found the next night on a track off Cocklebury Road, but about £120 in donations was missing from the boot and poppies had been dumped in Calne.

Mr Pratt’s employer WTTL, a transport training group in Devizes, came forward to make up the money.

And now another man, who wants to remain anonymous, has generously offered the same.

Julie Shore, treasurer of the Royal British Legion Chippenham branch, said: “We’re delighted to accept it and encouraged there are still good individuals out there.

“He said he wanted to make sure the good guys didn’t lose out and the bad guys didn’t win. It gives you hope, warms your heart.”

Three men from Chippenham, aged 28, 22 and 21, were arrested in connection with the incident.

But all three were released without further action because of insufficient evidence.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “The victim has been informed and of course if further details or information come to light then the case will be re-opened immediately.”