A well-known magician who has been entertaining the people of Faversham for the last 30 years has expressed his upset after a thief stole his earnings.

Myles Phillips, 70, known to most people as Mr Mystery, was performing in the busy Market Place when a brazen crook swiped his hat filled with money and ran off.

Mr Phillips, of Preston Street, who makes his money from donations dropped into his hat, had turned his back for just a moment, but it was too late.

The incident took place on Saturday, April 2.

He has now thanked the generous market traders as just hours after his takings was stolen, they rallied round and made up his shortfall.

He said: “I don’t charge but if the parents put in a few quid in, it covers the cost of the balloons.

“I was just talking to a couple of kids and their families, just standing a metre or so from my stall and someone said they saw a man run up the alleyway towards the swimming pool.

“I looked back at my stall and realised the hat was gone.

“It was only about £20, but it’s not about the money. I never thought that would happen in Faversham.”

Police are now investigating the crime, which occurred at around 2pm on Saturday, and Mr Phillips hopes CCTV images from the town centre could lead to justice.

Police spokesman, Carly Wymark, said: “We are investigating an alleged theft of an amount of money from a hat in Market Place, Faversham, just before 2pm on April 2.”

Mr Phillips added: “It is very disappointing and I was very upset. I packed up early and went to get a cup of tea.

“But soon after one of the ladies from the market came across to tell me that they had heard the news and done a whip-round.

“It blew me away, I still feel quite choked up by it now. I want to say a big thank you to everyone.

“I will be a bit more careful now but it is just such a shame it happened at all.”