A COUPLE in their seventies have had their Christmas charity fundraising effort targeted by young thugs.

Stan and Joan Williams, both 71, have been collecting money for Prospect Hospice for four years by putting up Christmas lights and having a contribution box outside their home at 3 Coventry Close, off Perrys Lane in Wroughton,.

However, two nights ago yobs tried to steal the box and the previous night the couple opened the container up to find a condom filled with urine.

Mr Williams said: "We quite enjoy Christmas in any case and we like putting up lots of lights for the kids. Then one of my neighbours said why not try and raise a bit of money for Prospect at the same time so we started putting out a collection box.

"But what has been happening is absolutely terrible.

"Two boys who saw some others trying to steal the box came and told us what had happened.

"We do try and empty the box three or four times in the evening and it is bolted to the gate."

Deputy leader of the council, Brian Ford (Con, Wroughton and Chiseldon) has turned on the lights at the house for the past two years and did the honours this year on December 3.

He said: "They work so hard. There's over 5,000 light bulbs on display. It is for charity and to think that this is happening makes you sick.

"There are a lot of good young people out there but this is just sickening and whoever is doing it wants to grow up.

"I would encourage everyone to go along, enjoy the lights, and put some money in the box."

The Williams' are also disappointed that they have not raised very much money this year because of a six foot fence that was recently put up nearby.

Mr Williams said: "The new fence has been obstructing people's view of the house so that they don't stop anymore.

"It's a real shame because it does make a difference to the collection and we really wanted to make more money than last year this time. But this is the worst year we've ever had."

Another neighbour, Roland Parsons, said: "The house is beautifully decorated but no-one can see it and the fact that the couple have been hounded by some stupid young thugs is absolutely awful."

The couple have reported the incidents to the police, who said they will visit the couple this week.