POLICE are keen to collar a thief who walked off with a life-size model guide dog used to collect cash for charity.

The man was caught on CCTV cameras in the Whitefriars, Canterbury, on Sunday morning as he stole the black labrador.

The model guide dog belongs to Guide Dogs for the Blind and donations are used to help train and provide the dogs.

It was situated in the stairwell to the multi-storey car park next to Tesco Metro. But shortly after 10am on Sunday a man was caught on a security camera approaching the dog, calmly placing a black bin liner over it, tucking it under his arm and walking off with it.

He appears to have deliberately tried to conceal his face with a tightly-worn hood. But police still hope his clothing and build may still give him away.

Whitefriars security staff have reported the incident to police and supplied the footage with other images they believe are of the offender.

Local fund-raising co-ordinator for Guide Dogs for the Blind Jen Hardstone said: "I am absolutely appalled that someone had done this. The life-size model dogs are regularly emptied although they tend to only contain just small change that are an important part of our local fund-raising effort.

"They are a very tangible representation of Guide Dogs for the Blind and actually cost about £150 to replace."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 01227 868185.