A DAILY Echo-backed life-saving group in Bransgore has been stunned by the theft of one of its three charity collection boxes.

The box, containing between £40 and £50, was stolen from the bar of the Carpenters Arms pub in Burley Road in the village.

The money was destined to go to Bransgore and District Community Responders, a team of trained volunteers who attend medical emergencies and provide life support and care prior to the arrival of ambulance crews.

Their collecting box had been on the bar at the Carpenters Arms for some time and went missing in the last few weeks.

Responders' spokesman Mike Jukes said: "Enquiries were made in case it had just been moved but it now looks like it has been stolen.

"I am somewhat surprised that someone would sink so low as to take charity money donated to our group by the pub customers.

"Maybe if the thief realises it might be their family who could need our help one day, they will think again.

"We just hope that their conscience gets to them."

Bransgore and District Community Responders was set up with the aid of a £1,600 grant from the Gannett Foundation, Newsquest's parent company, £1,650 from Bransgore Rotary Club and cash raised from street collections and donations.

But it still needs about £600 a year to function. The money pays for training of new volunteers and to replace equipment and medicines.

Anyone with information about the theft should contact Ringwood police station on 0845 045 4545 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.

If anyone finds the box, which is bright yellow with the group's green and yellow chequered band, they should contact Mr Jukes on 07976 465890.