MEAN thieves have soured a massive fund-raising drive to give some of Bolton's frailest old people a few extra pleasures.

Volunteers worked round the clock to turn a cabaret night at Tonge Cricket Club into a huge financial success for Firwood House old people's home in Crompton Way.

But as the pensioners were about to enjoy their very first treat from the money raised, a sneak thief struck.

As the elderly and infirm residents were being helped into a coach for a trip to Blackpool illuminations, someone sneaked in and stole the home's £300 video recorder.

A spokesman at Firwood said: "You really can't credit that there can be such low life around. Whoever did this obviously saw that we were all busy helping the residents aboard."

The theft came as a sickening blow after a local man, who did not want to be named, burned the midnight oil to organise a sell out cabaret night at the cricket club.

Stars including Stu Francis, Blackpool comedian George King, and singers Sam Homer and Lee Martin gave their services free.

The event raised £800.

"That money was to provide extras such as the video recorder," said the Firwood spokesman.

"In a few seconds, the thief has taken away the equivalent of more than a third of all that was raised."

In a separate incident, someone broke into Firwood and stole a resident's purse containing £20.

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