Thieves stole a bank card from a Kent couple then fleeced the account to fund US presidential hopeful Barack Obama's campaign trail.

Shocked Tania Parker, of Stanbrook Road, Gravesend, discovered the bank account had been mysteriously emptied after she tried to withdraw money from a cash point.

When she called Lloyds TSB stunned Tania was told fraudsters had illegally made two donations totalling £210 to fund Obama’s race for the White House.

She said: "It’s crazy, I couldn’t believe it. I’m not even an Obama fan - I prefer Hillary Clinton!

"When your card gets nicked you expect them to buy designer jeans or jewellery - not go topping up the coffers of some foreign politician."

Hillary Clinton's aides have now said that she will suspend her White House bid and publicly announce her backing for Barack Obama on Saturday.

For the full story see this week's Gravesend Messenger.