ROYAL British Legion branch chairman Alec Light has blasted thieves who broke into a Christian bookshop in Marlborough and stole a Poppy Appeal collecting tin days before Remembrance Sunday.

The tin, along with a laptop and fundraising box for the learning disability charity MENCAP, was taken in the break-in on Thursday at Mustard Seed Bookshop and Café in Hilliers Yard.

Both charity boxes were later found dumped empty in the river at Cooper’s Meadow by a passer-by.

“It is just a despicable act,” he said. “They must be absolutely desperate to want to steal a charity box. Hopefully it was not done to buy drugs.”

Staff at the bookshop in Hilliers Yard returned to work on Friday morning where they made the discovery.

“It is very upsetting,” said café supervisor Carol Dunn. “They went in the back door next to the sofa and broke the door down. It happened through the night and staff came in the next day and found it.”

Mr Light, of Orchard Road, who is also a town councillor, has been chairman of Marlborough RBL branch on and off for 30 years.

His daughter Alexandra Light, 37, of Ramsbury, has been organising this year’s poppy collection and has handed out the tins to a number of businesses in the town to raise money for the charity which supports war veterans and their families.

Last year, they raised £13,600 and were hoping to beat that amount this year.

“It is the lowest of the low,” Mr Light added. “No one can go lower than that particularly a charity box, every donation is vital.”

Rev Canon Andrew Studdert-Kennedy who is leading the remembrance service at St Mary’s Church, following the parade starting in the High Street on Sunday, said: “I just think it is very sad and I feel sorry that someone is like that.”

It is the second time in the space of just over a month that businesses in Hilliers Yard have been targeted by thieves.

Cosy Bean Café, Mercers of Marlborough and charity shop Dogs Trust were also raided overnight on September 22.

A window was smashed at Cosy Bean and cash, the contents of a charity pot and sweets were taken. Cash was also stolen from Mercers and the safe was removed from the Dogs Trust but found in Mercers next door.

Last November, toy shop Ducklings in Hilliers Yard was broken into and shelves were cleared of Lego and other items.

It has sparked a debate on whether more CCTV should be installed in the town covering Hillers Yard.

Councillor Marian Hannaford-Dobson, who is also vice-chair of the Marlborough RBL, has been campaigning for 12 years to have CCTV in the town.

She added: “It is absolutely deplorable that someone would pinch one of these pots.

“I am really quite passionate about getting CCTV to cover the businesses in the town and I sincerely hope the Town Council consider extending it.”