HOSPITAL League of Friends chairman Sally Cripps has been saddened by the theft of a charity box from the counter at the George Lane surgery.

It's believed the charity box, which was nearly full, could have contained well over £60.

The League of Friends of Savernake Hospital has been collecting boxes in a number of places around the town but Mrs Cripps said the one in the doctors' surgery always raised the most.

Mrs Cripps said patients appreciated that the League sometimes bought equipment for the medical practice and responded with generous donations.

She said the box, which was stolen sometime in the last week or so, was full and was known to contain some £10 and £5 notes.

She added: "I find it very hard to believe that anyone could stoop this low."

The League is taking delivery of a set of new style boxes soon. These have holes in their bases so they can be screwed down.