A FURIOUS animal charity group has condemned a thief who stole its tombola money from a stall on Weymouth Esplanade.

PAWS helper Marguerite Luffman, of Enkworth Road, Preston, said that the thief was "despicable", adding: "You are the lowest of the low. No word can be said for such a vile, loathsome, mean act."

Mrs Luffman said two colleagues had been left extremely upset by the incident last Friday and she hoped her words would prick the thief's conscience and shame him into returning the money and PAWS chairman Betty Austin said the tombola had probably taken about £50 when the money was stolen.

The charity just couldn't afford to lose money in this way.

She added: "That tombola took hours and hours to put together and it raised much-needed money.

"We get animals in every day and the cost of treatment for them is expensive. We can't afford to have money stolen. Every penny counts."

Inspector Paul Gillott, of Weymouth Police, said: "Our advice to all Esplanade stallholders, particularly with Weymouth Carnival so close, is to make sure that their takings are well guarded.

"Don't leave coins and notes in old ice-cream tubs as is frequently done. Keep all money either in waist wallets or satchels or store it securely in a locked box.

"Thieves often use crowds to cover thefts and a stall attracting shoppers is perfect cover for them.

"We would also remind all charity stall holders due to operate at next Wednesday's carnival to be on their guard as well."

PAWS, short for Weymouth and Portland Animal Welfare Society, was formed in 1979 to help any animal in distress.

Since then Mrs Austin has helped to rescue more than 5,000 cats in the area at the rate of up to 250 every year.

Many of the rescues have saved animals' lives and some of them have seen PAWS overcome apparently insurmountable odds.

Mr Austin once received a call to go out to a farm at East Lulworth which had become overrun with more than 400 wild cats. It took her and her helpers four hours to clear the site.