A HEARTLESS thief broke into a Whitehaven florists and stole four charity boxes.

Cumbria Police are appealing for witnesses after Rose Budz, in the Market Place, was raided over the weekend.

Devastated owners Gail and Michelle Hammell discovered the break-in on Sunday evening, when Gail visited the shop to check stock.

Gary Hammell, from the shop, said: "We discovered it on Sunday night, we closed Saturday as normal and then came back the next night.

"They've came in through the back door and took the money out of the till and charity boxes.

"It's going to cost us around £500 to fix the door, it's been forced open with a crowbar.

"It's shocking, taking the four charity boxes is the worst thing about it."

The owners have received an outpouring of support from members of the public after posting about the incident on social media.

In a post on Facebook, one of the owners said: "Very sorry to say that the shop will be closed for a few hours in the morning as we have been broken into.

"Thankfully not much taken but the lowest of the low took the charity boxes.

"Thank you to the young man from Charcoal Grill for looking after me while I had a melt down."

A Cumbria Police spokesman said: "Police were called at approximately 6.30pm on December 16 to a burglary at a store on Market Place, Whitehaven.

"The offender has forced entry to the property

"The incident is currently under investigation."

Anyone with information should contact police, quoting log 216 of December 16, by calling 101 or via email at 101@cumbria.police.uk

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.