Thieves have escaped with watches and £20 in cash after forcing their way into a charity shop.

The burglary at the Medway and Gravesham Cats Protection Shop in Canterbury Street, Gillingham, took place between4pm on Tuesday, December 30 and 8am on New Year's Eve.

Manageress Daphne Baker said: "It’s just soul destroying. They broke through three back doors to gain access.

"They took the £20 float and 10 to 20 watches out of the display cabinet in the shop.

"We have bags of foreign coins in the shop; they’d tipped them out over the draining board in the kitchen and sifted through them but none were taken.

"The shop was a mess and we couldn’t open for business. Instead we spent our time cleaning up the mess.

"It’s the expense of it all. Yes we’ll get some insurance money but it won’t cover it all. It’s money that we could have spent on cats."

A spokesman for Medway Police said: "Kent Police in Medway is investigating a burglary at the Cats Protection, Canterbury Street, Gillingham.

"Twenty pounds in cash and a selection of watches were stolen from the property following a forced entry."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact officers on 01634 792055. Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.