15110/02A HEARTLESS mum who used her child's pushchair to steal a bucket of cash collected for the tsunami appeal charity has been condemned by fund-raisers.

The mum walked away with the cash from Costcutter in Kings Avenue, Corsham on Sunday and then calmly returned to the store later to do her shopping.

Sylvia Allinson, 59, who was working in the shop at the time of the theft said: "It's despicable. The customers have been so generous so it's terrible.

"Fortunately we've been emptying the buckets at regular intervals so there wasn't much in there, but no matter how much money was in it, it's dreadful someone could take it when it's for such a worthwhile cause."

She added: "It's outrageous someone would steal the money when everyone is trying to help and there are people of all nationalities, ages and young children in such a stricken state.

"It's like taking food and water out of the mouths of children when they are already distressed."

The woman was caught on a CCTV camera hiding the bucket, which contained around £10, under her pushchair and leaving the shop between 11.10am and 11.15am.

Mrs Allinson said it was a busy morning so they hadn't noticed the bucket missing from the counter, but a customer found it empty outside.

Manager of Costcutter, Richard Terrell, 40, said: "The pictures on the television touched me and a lot of other people and we wanted to do our bit to help. It's a subject close to everyone's heart.

"A lot of local people have found out about the theft and everyone has been disgusted because of the nature of it.

"We were very angry when we first realised what had happened. We've been emptying the money regularly and keeping it in a safe but the fact that somebody could take it away from those people who need it so much is quite disgusting."

Costcutter now has two buckets in the store to continue collecting for the appeal.

WPC Hazel Anderson of Corsham police, who is dealing with the theft, said: "It's absolutely appalling that somebody should commit such an act and feel that their need is greater than those people in South East Asia.

"It doesn't matter how much or how little was in the bucket, this collection is for people who have lost everything."

She added: "We are aware of the person who is responsible for the crime and police have taken positive action and will seek to arrest her and charge her with the offence of theft this week."

The shop has collected more than £200 in ten days for the appeal. Costcutter has also donated £500.

Mrs Allinson said everyone at the store had been moved by the disaster. "It was such a shock to everyone that something like this could happen,'' she said. "We know there are natural disasters but it's just the scale of it and the timing, the fact it was Christmas. We wanted to do something to help, whatever we could."

Chairman of Corsham Town Council, Jock Fraser said: "It's despicable when people have sacrificed a lot of money over the Christmas period.

"It doesn't matter how much was in it. Every penny counts. I hope that person has a conscience and puts the money into somebody else's box."