Ref. 28230-52A CHRISTMAS post box, made by Swindon Scouts, has been found dumped in wasteland after being stolen from sheltered housing in Moredon

Pensioners in Chiltern Gardens, in Wickdown Avenue, had placed their cards in the box last week, expecting them to be delivered to loved ones by Scouts.

Joanne Beasant and her mum Brenda, who both live in Boscombe Road, were walking their dogs on fields near Abbey View Road, in Moredon, when they discovered the box along with more than 200 cards strewn on the ground.

The pair immediately contacted the Evening Advertiser and we have subsequently arranged for the box to be passed to the Scouts.

Many of the cards had been ripped open in an apparent search for cash.

The special Scout post boxes can be seen in shops, businesses and organisations across Swindon.

For 15p people can use the boxes to post their cards to anywhere in Swindon, saving up to 11p on the price of a stamp. All profits go to Scout funds to pay for activities.

Joanne, 27, said she was disgusted with the culprits.

She said: "It's an awful thing to do. A lot of the cards were signed 'love Nan and Grandad.'

"Obviously, when their families fail to get them they'll be really worried and distressed."

Brenda, 55, said: "You can tell from the writing that it is older people. They were probably trying to save a few pence by buying these special stamps.

"People are going to be expecting cards but they won't be getting them. There are some horrible people about."

Grandmother Joan Holmes, 73, noticed the post box had gone when she went to post her cards early on Wednesday morning. She said: "It has made me sick. The people who do this are despicable.

"A lot of these elderly people cannot get out to post their letters they rely on things like this."

Phil Prentice, the co-ordinator of the Scouts' Christmas post, which has been a tradition in the town for the past 21 years, pledged to deliver those cards still intact.

Mr Prentice has ruled out the possibility that Scouts are responsible for the theft.

"The cards have not yet been given to Scouts to be delivered that will be done on December 16," he said.

Kevin Shoesmith