A man dying of cancer who had the £3,000 he had saved for his own funeral stolen wants "the scum responsible to be punished".

Terry Price went out shopping on his mobility scooter for just 45 minutes, before returning to his Ramsgate home to find the cash - which he had stored in a locked red tin - missing.

The 66-year-old had been saving the money for the last four years as he "doesn't want anyone to be burdened with" having to meet cost of his funeral and wake.

But he says the callous thieves have "cleaned me right out and left me with nothing" following the incident on Saturday.

"I came in and noticed stuff disturbed around my table and as soon as I looked underneath the bed I saw my tin had gone," he told KentOnline.

"They cleaned me right out and left me with nothing.

"I just broke down because it was my funeral money, my wake money, and Christmas presents for the kids."

Mr Price moved into his Leopold Street home 26 years ago.

His battle with terminal kidney cancer has left him with countless health problems, including spots on his lungs.

He also had to go under the knife for treatment of a bone in his hip the cancer had spread to. The procedure left him housebound.

"I’m a dying man," he continued.

"I don’t have luxuries. I sit here all day basically on my own just watching TV or playing on my tablet - that’s all I do, I can’t do anything else.

"I can’t even stand up in the kitchen to do some washing up."

A JustGiving page has been launched to help the retired market trader, who is unable to work and relied on benefits to save the now-stolen £3,010.

One of his neighbours, Zoe, set up the fundraising appeal, which has generated £185 so far.

Mr Price's wife, Kay, died six years ago, and he now lives alone with his 11-year-old terrier Mo, whom he rescued shortly after his diagnosis.

He believes the burglars had been waiting outside his house before deciding to break in when he left to go to Aldi.

• To donate to the JustGiving appeal, click here

"They went straight for the money; they didn’t take my tablet or my TV," he continued.

"The people who are responsible are such scum.

"I want them punished."

A police spokesman has confirmed detectives have launched an investigation into the burglary, which took place between 2.30pm on 3.10pm on November 12.

"It is reported the property was broken into and a large amount of cash was stolen," the official said.

"Enquiries into the incident are ongoing."

Anyone with information should call 01843 222289, quoting the crime reference number 46/218728/22.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.