STAFF at a charity shop were left shocked when they discovered a three-foot high money box had been stolen.

The box in the shape of a dog and two cats was taken from outside the PDSA shop in Maidstone High Street.

Although the box stands around three-foot tall and is chained and padlocked to the shop front, someone took it while the assistant manager was at the back of the shop cleaning.

It was recovered the following day when a member of the public saw it in a nearby alleyway and reported it to the shop

Manager Caroline North said: “We were amazed that someone could take it. I don’t think there was much money in it anyway because it is emptied regularly but there was nothing in it when we got it back.

“We are glad to have got it back though because they cost around £200 new and we couldn’t really afford to replace it.

Anyone who saw the theft take place or saw anyone with the money box afterwards is asked to contact the police on 01622 608189.