Burglars have been branded "disgusting" after stealing a Poppy Appeal charity box from a shop in Maldon's High Street.
The Royal British Legion collection box was taken during a burglary at the Flower Patch florist just days before Armistice Day.
The callous thieves also took a charity box for Essex Air Ambulance and the till drawer, which contained just £25 in cash.
They smashed their way through a back window in the theft which occurred overnight between Wednesday and Thursday last week, causing £300 worth of damage.
Albert Kilby, vice-president of the Maldon, Heybridge and District British Legion, called the act “absolutely disgusting”.
He said: “It is completely degrading and disrespectful."
See this week's MBS for the full story.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here