CHEPSTOW pet-shop owner Gill Vaughan says she is shocked and dismayed after her windows and door were smashed by thieves who took five charity donation boxes.

"I can't believe anyone could be so heartless. I'm shocked how low some people can go," she said after the Friday night raid on Harlequin Pets in Welsh Street Car Park.

"There was a huge amount of glass damage but it is such a mean act I want to draw attention to it and hopefully shame whoever did it."

She said she is glad she has such a loud burglar alarm "otherwise the damage might have been worse – I am sure they would have ransacked the place".

She added: "It must have been done by people who knew the boxes were there. They can't be seen from outside the shop."

She is unsure how much was in the five boxes – Greyhound Rescue, Guide Dogs, Help for Heroes, the RSPB and World Horse Welfare – but she has "very generous" customers and it might have been as much as £50.

Police fingerprint teams have been working over the weekend at the shop.