STAFF at a Totton charity shop said that they felt disgusted after they arrived to find the store been burgled.

The manager of Barnardo’s in Commercial Road, Nicki Desty, discovered the break-in when she arrived at 7am yesterday.

The 50-year-old noticed something was wrong when she spotted the screen for the cash register was facing the wrong way.

She then saw the till draw on the floor and the safe, in a back room, standing open.

Intruders had taken £206.51 in cash and a charity collection box from the safe.

As the shop had no cash float it could not open yesterday.

Nicki told the Echo: “I went through the office and saw they had taken yesterdays takings and our float which we need to open.

“Luckily we had done the last couple of days’ banking, which were high takings.

“No other room has been touched in the shop, just the money has gone.

“There was personal and private paperwork pulled out of the safe, which was all over the floor of the office, so we don’t know if they’ve read them.”

Nicki believes the burglars scaled a six foot fence at the back of the shop before forcing the rear door to gain access to the premises.

“They must have created so much noise getting in the back door,” she told the Echo.

“They didn’t break the padlock on inside of the back gate, so they must have gone back over the fence.

Sales assistant Joe Younger added: “Its disgusting that they pick a charity, let alone any shop.

“We have a lovely, loyal customers base.

“We know all their names and talk to them regularly.

“Its like a little social hub.

“It’s just gut wrenching.”

A Hampshire Constabulary Spokesperson said: “The burglary occurred overnight between Thursday, December 27 and 7.15am on Friday, December 28 at Barnado’s charity shop on Commercial Road, Totton.

“The suspect (s) have forced a rear door and a quantity of cash has been stolen from a safe.

“If anyone has any information about this crime, please call 101, quoting reference 44180479582.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”