A SUPERMARKET owner has spoken of his anger after a thief walked out of a supermarket with a Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal box filled with cash.

The crook, who is believed to be in his 40s, dropped money into the box on display in Costcutters in Leigh Road, Leigh, and took a few steps away.

But he quickly walked back and grabbed the box, before leaving at around 3pm on Tuesday.

Store owner, Ron Bewsey, said: "He is someone who was old enough to have known better.

"We are used to dealing with shoplifters but it's the first time we've had a Poppy Appeal box taken. It's awful.

"It's quite a big box and when I moved it a few days ago, it was more than half full.

"There was easily £20 to £30 in there.

"People are always more generous because it is the British Legion."

Paul Tucker, county field officer for the Royal British Legion in Essex, said cash collected over the remembrance period helps fund welfare work for servicemen and ex-servicemen in Essex.

More than £428,000 has been handed out to ex-servicemen in Essex in the past year, to help pay for everything from electric wheelchairs to paying utility bills.

He said: "I just find it unbelievable we have these callous people.

"Every time people steal from us reduces the amount of money we have for our veterans."

Insp Dave Cowell, from Leigh Police said police are investigating the incident and will be using CCTV images to track down the person responsible.

He said: "This is a particularly despicable crime on a charity, which at this time of year has more of an impact.

"We would urge anyone who was in Leigh Road at the time and saw any suspicous activity to call police."

Call officers on 01702 431212.