A CHARITY box for Lydney Hospital was one of four charity boxes that was stolen after thieves broke into Sally's Florists on Tuesday (August 27).

Among the other things that was stolen from the shop at Bream was fresh flowers, photoframes, a cabinet full of unusual silver jewellery and a digital photoframe that contained the owner's memory card of pictures of her bridal flowers.

Sally James, who has been running the business for 23 years, estimates the stolen items to be worth at least £1,000.

She said: "I left work at 5.30pm on Tuesday and when I went into work the next day at 8.30am I noticed the shop had been broken into from the rear. I am absolutely gutted and also confused as to why the thieves took what they did because it wouldn't be of value to them unless they were in the same line of business. You would think that a florist would be a low risk target.

"I reported it to the police who came out and investigated. What is also frustrating is that I was going to call Lydney Hospital on the day of the burglarly because I had noticed their charity box was full. I also had charity boxes for Cats Protection, Cancer Research UK and The Barn Owl Trust. I'm so upset.

"I was broken into not long after I opened my business 23 years ago, but I have not had any trouble since, I am now having to look into getting some security on the premises. The theft of the photoframe was annoying because I use it to show the brides who come in my work. Fortunately my customers have been understanding about my cir­cum­stances but it's annoying all the same that I am running low on stock. The whole thing is just heartbreaking."

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said: "An unknown offender entered the property between 5.30pm on Tuesday (August 27) and 8.30am on Wednesday (August 28). Officers have checked CCTV locally and carried out house-to-house enquiries. Anyone who has any concerns about security around their business or home can contact their local police on 101."

Anyone with any information can contact 101 quoting incident number 99 of August 28.