THIEVES have made off with a pot of money used to fund day trips and special events for disabled people and pensioners in Cricklade.

The collection jar clearly labelled Cricklade Disabled and Pensioners' Fund was one of a number of items stolen during a break-in at the Vale Hotel in Cricklade High Street, which has left owner Mark Ingle more than £1,000 out of pocket.

Mr Ingle said that he could live with the fact that thieves stole cigars, cigarettes, champagne, wines and spirits, but the £50 they took from the jar on the bar was despicable.

The thieves broke into the hotel by removing glass slats from the kitchen window before tiptoeing through the bar.

They helped themselves to a jeroboam of champagne, malt whisky, vodka, gin, wine and cigars, cigarettes and a digital camera.

But what upset Mr Ingle most was the theft of the money, some of which was donated by US airmen who were staying at the hotel while appearing at the Royal International Air Tattoo.

"I was asleep and didn't hear a thing, but the thieves carefully removed the glass slats and stacked them against the wall," he said.

"I can live with the theft of spirits and tobacco I will not even claim on the insurance but the theft of a charity collection jar is just absolutely despicable. They emptied the contents, took the money and left the jar behind.

"I just hope that when the thieves are caught they're made to stand up in the Town Hall apologise and explain their actions to all the pensioners in Cricklade."

The fund is used to give disabled and pensioners' in the town one-off away days to the seaside and shows.

The American servicemen some of whom flew the B2 Stealth bomber to the RIAT put donations in the collection jar instead of giving tips.

The digital camera stolen had a collection of irreplaceable photographs of bar staff and war veterans with the US servicemen.

In March, Mr Ingle, who runs the hotel with his fianc, Cherise Hutchinson, said that Cricklade was unsafe after dark after suffering at the hands of vandals and thugs since he arrived more than two years ago.

However, he is confident that new Cricklade police sergeant, Willie Glasgow, and his colleagues will find the thieves and bring them to justice.

The 38-year-old Northern Ireland policeman has already earned himself something of a reputation in the three-weeks he has been patrolling the town and has promised to rid Cricklade of crime and graffiti.

Former publican and joint treasurer of the Cricklade Disabled and Pensioners' fund, Arthur Cole, 83, said: "Pinch-ing stuff from charity boxes is disgraceful especially as a lot of hard work goes into this."

Anyone with information on the burglary, which happened early Friday morning, is urged to call Cricklade police on 01793 750207.