THIEVES who left a trail of destruction when they ransacked a charity shop have hit the organisation's Christmas Appeal.

They struck at Destitute Animal Shelter charity shop in Chorley Old Road, Halliwell, which supports the work of the shelter in Northolt Drive, Great Lever.

Jennifer Moore, who manages the store and is honorary secretary to the charity's committee, said: "I'm shocked and saddened by the amount of violence used to break into our property.

"The shop was trashed. Many items of value were taken and the whole shop was in disarray."

The burglary happened overnight between Thursday and Friday last week (Nov 12/13) and is believed to have involved at least two intruders.

Ms Moore said: "We're not a massive organisation and we are not a national charity.

"We are a Bolton-based standalone charity and we rely totally on donations from public.

"It has cost a considerable amount of money to repair the damage and improve our security.

"Apart from the expenses, the shop will not be fully operative for a while."

Ms Moore said the shelter, which temporarily houses stray, abandoned and unwanted pets and nurses them back to health, would be severely hit financially by the burglary.

She said: "Many are in need of urgent medical attention, which costs us thousands of pounds.

"We don't want to say 'No' to an animal that needs a life-saving operation."

The shelter has been running for more than 90 years and the shop, which remains open despite the burglary, for seven.

Ms Moore said the shop cannot cope with any more donations of stock.

She appealed to sympathisers to donate money instead to assist the charity in making up the income lost from the lucrative Christmas sales as a result of the disruption to the store.