CHARITY shop workers have been warned to be on their guard in the run up to Christmas after a gang of thieves stole a donations box from a store which raises cash for sick children.

Hopskotch Children's Trust charity shop in Chigwell Road, Woodford Bridge, was visited by a group of two men and two women last Thursday afternoon - who are believed to have snatched a collection tin containing money donated to provide support for seriously ill youngsters from the area.

Shop worker Hannah Hatt, who was on her own in the store at the time of the theft last Thursday afternoon, said the group was well organised.

She said: "The two men and two women came in separately, but I knew something was up pretty much straight away.

"I walked across to keep an eye on what they were doing, but they kept to two different sides of the shop which made it difficult.

"The younger man suddenly walked quickly out of the shop, and I could see he had something under his jacket so I walked after him."

When Ms Hatt tried to follow him, the older man stood in her way at the door and smiled at her.

She said: "I told them I knew one of them had taken something. I said shame on them for stealing from a charity shop.

"I just don't want this happening to anyone else."

Ms Hatt said the box, which was stolen at around 4.30pm would have contained far more than just £15 if she had not just emptied it of donations.

Her co-worker Sharon Rose, said the theft would not get in the way of charity's work providing support for local sick children - which recently included a donation to help fund a holiday to Disney World for 9-year-old Adam Whelan from Abridge, who suffers from a brain tumour.

The two women thought to have been involved in the theft are described as being olive skinned with dark hair and wearing 'gypsy' style dresses.

The younger man was aged in his mid-twenties, also olive skinned with dark hair, of medium build and wearing a brown jacket.

The older man was shorter, around 5ft 4ins, and wore a brown jacket. He had a gold tooth.

Anyone with information should call Woodford police station on: 8345 3628.

For more information about Hopskotch visit: hopskotch.org.uk.