Thieves have stolen more than £500 from a children's charity shop.

The burglars broke into the Children’s Trust store, in Gabriel’s Hill, Maidstone, overnight on Sunday and staff arrived yesterday to find the money missing.

They gained entry by breaking a rear window and forcing the back door, causing extensive damage which the charity believes will cost thousands of pounds to repair.

Mandy Tucker, manager of the shop, said: “It is beyond belief that someone would steal from a charity shop.

Thanks to the determined efforts of the staff, the shop was open again at 11:30 on Monday.

“Our staff and volunteers have worked so hard the lead up to Christmas to raise as much money as possible for children with brain injury and it is very upsetting that the takings from one of our busiest weekends of the year has been stolen.

“We are so grateful for the support of the local community in Maidstone and would like to thank everyone for their kindness and practical help since the break in.

“Everyone has pulled together and I am pleased to say that the shop is open for business again.”

Staff spent the morning cleaning up the damage but managed to get the store open by 11.30am.

A Kent Police spokesman said the incident happened between 4.30pm on Sunday, December 21 and 8.37am on Monday, December 22.

If anyone has any information they should call police on 101 quoting crime reference number YY/25931/14.