BURGLARS have stolen a Remembrance Day collection tin along with prizes in a raffle raising money for the elderly in a break-in at a nursing home.

Police are appealing for witnesses after the burglary on Sunday at the nursing home in Newcastle.

At around 3.15am intruders forced their way into Byker Hall Nursing Home on Allendale Road, in Byker.

After forcing their way through the front door they stole the charity box containing cash from the reception area along with Christmas raffle prizes including a hamper containing bottles of wine and glassed, a watch, gift set box of beers and a litre of vodka, gin and rum

PC Gordon Dunbar said: “We’re appealing for help from the public to help us find those responsible for these thefts.

“To steal a poppy collection box which is there to raise money to support Britain’s war heroes is a completely heartless crime.

“The nursing home is also losing out because of this crime as their raffle aims to raise funds which benefit their elderly residents during the year.”

Officers are appealing for anyone who was in the area and who may have seen or heard anything suspicious to contact them.

Anyone with information should call Northumbria Police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.