MANAGER Karon Dobson told today how two men snatched takings from her charity shop in Dorchester town centre.

The thieves - one with a chipped tooth and the other with a tattoo on his hand - fled with £200 at closing time from Sue Ryder Care in Trinity Street.

Miss Dobson claimed one of the men went upstairs then came down and distracted her while the money was taken from under the till.

She said: "I was cashing up and thought something strange was going on when they came in.

"I shoved the money right to the back of the desk under the till. One of the men who had gone upstairs came down and we spoke.

"He left and then I realised the money had gone."

She added: "I am very angry and upset about it.

"It was the most money we had taken in a day for some time. It's never happened before and I am mad at myself. I think we may have to close upstairs when only one of us is in the shop."

Now the charity is set to step up security with no money being cashed up during office hours or left on the premises.

Police have appealed for witnesses who saw the pair entering or leaving the shop, which is opposite the bus stops in Trinity Street, at around 4.30pm to 4.45pm on Wednesday.

Both men were white, the first about 5ft 4in with short dark tidy hair and a tattoo on his hand. He was slim, in his late 20s or early 30s and wearing a yellow shirt.

The second man was 6ft with short dark hair, in his early 20s with a chipped front tooth. He was wearing jeans and a light coloured shirt.

Anyone with information is urged to call PC Alan Miller at Dorchester police station on (01305) 251212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.