THIEVES who stole a Christmas charity box from outside a Trowbridge home have been branded as 'mean spirited'.

Allan Edwards, one of the contestants in the Wiltshire Times-backed Christmas lights competition, was horrified to find thieves stole a charity box from outside his Charles Street home on Thursday the day after competition judges viewed his Santa's grotto.

Mr Edwards was collecting money for the Vine Project a hostel for homeless teenagers in the process of being set-up in Trowbridge by his mother-in-law Pat Penny.

Speaking about his anger at finding the charity box stolen, 58-year-old Mr Edwards said: "It is totally Scrooge-like. I was absolutely gutted when I saw it had gone.

"It made me want to rip all the lights down and not bother again."

Neighbours rallied round to donate cash once they heard about the crime.

Mr Edwards said the community response raised his spirits: "We have a great network of neighbours and they were all sympathetic.

"The money was going to a project which will help out kids in the future.

"I know it was only about £20 taken but that is not the point."