THIEVES have stolen cash from more than 40 charity boxes at the annual Christmas Tree festival in Bridport.

It is thought they may have got away with thousands of pounds after breaking into the United Church and emptying collection boxes under nearly all the 65 trees decorated by charities and groups.

This is the ninth year the festival has run, with each individual charity allowed a box under their tree to collect money. Thousands of pounds are raised each year, with visitors travelling from miles around to see the festive spectacle.

Investigating officer PC Gavin Roy, of Bridport police, said: "At some point overnight someone has broken in and taken all the charity boxes.

"We don't know how much was inside them but local charities will be affected by this and so will some national ones like Cancer Research and the RSPCA.

"These charities rely on the money and a lot of it would have helped locally. A lot of people visit the trees.

"This is a despicable crime, especially for this time of year."

Festival organiser Bryan Chant said he felt both disgust and sadness at the theft.

He added that very few of the 65 collection boxes had not been stolen - mostly the ones that were well secured - but others had been smashed or levered open.

He said: "We do impress on organisations to empty their boxes and tell them to make sure they are secure.

"Three or four years ago we did have four or five boxes stolen during the day, but this is the first time anything like this has happened. They even stole a white candle."

The Christmas tree festival ends today. Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Roy at Bridport on 01308 422266.