POLICE are appealing for information after charity money was stolen in Lyme Regis.

Officers are keen to speak to witnesses after thieves swiped cash from the Shipwrecked Mariners Society mine collection box on the hard standing of the slipway at The Cobb Harbour.

The money was discovered missing yesterday - but officers believe it could have been taken anytime since Sunday.

PSCO John Burton from Lyme Regis police said: "Thieves have bolt cropped the padlock of the base of the mine and removed the entire contents of donated cash - leaving the charity without its much-needed donations and a repair bill for the damage to the locking mechanism.

"The mine had already been re-sited following historic attacks when it was located on the Cobb. Police have been carrying out house to house enquiries and will be reviewing CCTV footage from the harbour and local businesses."

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101.