THE theft of three Poppy Appeal collection boxes in Swanage has been branded "absolutely disgusting".

Collections at the Co-op, Crows Nest Inn, Ulwell Road, and Swanage Post Office, Kings Road, are thought to have been stolen some time between Tuesday and Thursday this week.

Each box had been in place for around two weeks and would have been almost full with generous donations from people trying to support the Royal British Legion's vital work.

But just days before Remembrance Sunday, when the nation remembers those who have given their lives in conflict, that money was taken.

Jim Bangle, who organises the Poppy Appeal in Swanage, said: "It's shocking and disgusting.

"We are most upset - but we will continue."

Joe Clark, secretary of the Swanage Branch of the Royal British Legion, said: "It's absolutely disgusting.

"This is not for profit - it's all going to help people who need it."

Subpostmaster Bob McGhee said the thief left behind three other charity tins on his counter, but cut through a security wire to take the Poppy Appeal box.

"I'm extremely disappointed," he added.

"We have another collection in place but now we are keeping it behind the counter and people have to pass money to us to put in.

"It's very sad we have to do that."

The collection at the pub went missing from the bar sometime on Tuesday, said barmaid Sophie Atkinson.

"I just think that's the lowest of the low," she added.

Howard Fairman, MBE, county field officer for the Royal British Legion in Dorset, said there were a small number of similar thefts most years, but this was the first he'd heard of in the county this year.

He described it as "a despicable act" adding: "I fail to appreciate how anyone can live with their conscience after doing something like that.

"With what our armed services are going through at the moment anyone who can do that is at the bottom of the heap as far as I'm concerned."

The Royal British Legion spends over £50 million every year providing welfare assistance to the ex-service community, and receives 300,000 calls for help every year.

The annual Poppy Appeal is its biggest fundraiser.