THIEVES have staged an early morning raid on a charity shop, grabbing cash destined to help heart research.

Staff at the British Heart Foundation shop in Newport Street, Bolton, thought shutters fitted to the front of the building five months ago would deter burglars.

But early yesterday thieves used ladders to break in through a front upstairs window.

A passer-by, spotting the ladders at 6am, assumed they were being used by window cleaners.

But instead the thieves had grabbed the shop's £40 float from the kitchen and snatched a collection box containing about £10 from the shop counter before opening a back door to make their getaway.

"I can't believe they have done it because they know the shop works to help people," said shop assistant Sheree Bagnall.

The raid on the British Heart Foundation is the latest in a series of incidents where thieves have preyed on the town's charity shops.

Managers at four shops have been left with costly repair bills after a series of break-ins and burglaries last month.

Thieves targeted New Home Farm Charities in Ridgeway Gates a day after it opened.

The Arthritis Research Campaign Charity Shop in Great Moor Street was also hit by thieves who urinated on the carpet.

Thieves also stole cash, collection boxes, clothing and jewellery from the Marie Curie Cancer Care store, also in Great Moor Street.

The Scope Cerebral Palsy store next door was also hit the same evening after vandals used a brick to smash its windows.

Police are investigating the latest incident at the British Heart Foundation shop and have taken away the ladders for examination.

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.