TWO youths who stole a charity Santa's money box were captured on security cameras.

The Stagecoach bus company has had two of its drivers dressed as Santa for the past week to raise money for the children's ward at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

But on Wednesday evening, one of the men, Peter Holliday, had his charity box, containing between £50 and £100, stolen.

PC Gareth Hopps said: "We've looked at the CCTV images and it does clearly show the two boys.

"They were on the bus for approximately ten minutes.

"They were stood up at the front of the bus waiting for it to come to a halt at Yarm Road, near the fish and chip shop.

"Once it did, one of the boys got off and the other grabbed the charity box and ran off. Unfortunately, we don't know who the boys are at the moment but we will be putting the pictures round the local schools.

"We are appealing for anyone with any information or anyone who was around the area at the time of the incident."

Mr Holliday described the first boy as aged 14, about 4ft tall and of stocky build. He has short black hair and was wearing a dark tracksuit.

The second boy was described as 14 to 15 years old, about 5ft tall and slim. He has short, mousy coloured hair and was wearing an orange top and blue tracksuit bottoms.

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Hopps on 0845 60 60 365.