VILLAGERS left aghast after burglars stole funds for a Christmas party for underprivileged children have come out in force with their piggy banks to ensure the event goes ahead unaffected.

Residents in Trimdon Village reacted with dismay and anger after learning of the raid on Trimdon Community College, saying they believed the thieves had used their local knowledge to target £300 stored there for the party.

Regulars would put their spare change into a giant whisky bottle behind the bar, which also doubled as a swear box – with people using bad language encouraged to add a little extra to the kitty.

The centre is also counting the cost after two doors were damaged, a £600 till from the bar smashed and three bottles of spirits were taken during the burglary.

The hard-working committee behind the village hub said they were left “devastated” by the break-in overnight between Saturday and Sunday, but added they had been overwhelmed by the public response.

Durham County councillor Peter Brookes said: “It’s very disappointing that someone chose to break into the college which is a community venue.

“They caused some damage and it is particularly disheartening that they stole the Christmas money for the children’s Christmas party. Everybody knows it was for the party."

Annette Donohue, development manager at the centre, said: “When people do things like this it is their own community they are harming.

“The social club is the supporting arm of the community. We have so many volunteers down here. Everybody involved gives voluntary hours and £300 is a big amount of money to an organisation like this.

“That money could be used for the community and instead we’re replacing the till and repairing doors which is a waste of funds that we have been fundraising for all year.

“I’m angry and it’s disappointing to think somebody would do that to their own community.”

The alarm was raised at the centre, on Elwick View, at 1am on Sunday when entry was forced through an emergency exit and two internal doors into the social club area.

Alongside the cost of repairs, the centre has had to pay for new locks. A post about the break-in on Facebook has been seen by 7,000 people.

A donation box has been placed on the counter in the village’s Co-op store by a member of staff, and among the donations is an anonymous one for £80.

“We’ve had a wonderful response from the community,” added Ms Donohue. “It’s gone out to a very wide audience.We’ve had people coming down with penny jars and have had people offering their savings jars from home.”

The centre's management said it was examining how to ramp up security at the centre by strengthening the fire door.

Durham Police said enquiries were ongoing.

Cllr Brookes added: “The college is a charity and they don’t have a great amount of income. It’s really annoying and disappointing that it happened.

“I’m sure that they will endeavour to get the money from other sources for the party and as a councillor I want to make sure the kids don’t miss out.

“Some of the youngsters who would benefit from that money won’t get as much at Christmas time in the community than others.”