Suspected thieves have been caught on CCTV stealing a £320 brass sundial from a charity shop.

The man and woman snatched the antique timepiece – the most expensive item for sale – after distracting the manager in Rochester High Street on Saturday afternoon, it is alleged.

It's believed the duo may also have also struck at another shop run by the Gillingham Street Angels.

The organisation runs a food bank and soup kitchen for thousands of vulnerable people across Medway.

Its boss Neil Charlick said he was appalled by the latest incident which was caught on CCTV at the shop in the High Street at the junction of Star Hill at about 3pm.

He said: "Times are desperate and people do desperate things in desperate times. And people are shoplifting to put food on the table .

"But don't bite the hand that feeds you.

"We are running one of the biggest food banks ion Kent.We are here to help people in this cost of living crisis."

Mr Charlick described their actions as "blatant" and said they deliberately sought out the brass sundial, which had the most expensive price tag attached.

He said: "It was the size of a football and heavy.

"The £320 would have fed a lot of mouths. But this was more likely to be sold on, possibly to an antique shop in the High Street.

"But we have a good relationship with them and I'm keeping an eye on ebay and facebook."

Police confirmed they attended a report of a theft from the charity shop on Saturday between 2.30pm and 3.30pm and inquiries are ongoing.

The award-winning charity has just opened a second store at the empty Argos store building in Chatham High Street selling mainly second-hand furniture.

It is its biggest venture since forming in an office above a garage in Sturdee Avenue, Gillingham in 2018.

The move to the three-storey premises, owned by the Richard Watts charity, means it can expand and offer space for other groups to form a huge community hub.

Mr Charlick, who runs the charity with wife Tracy, said: "It's very exciting. I have always believed we should be working together to support each other and not live in a bubble.

"And this gives us an amazing opportunity to do so.

"We will be providing much-needed space for people to train, work and get advice."

Among the groups Neil hopes to get on board are Nucleus Arts, Medway and Medway Pride Radio Pride and Luton-based Arches Local, as well as other organisations including a boxing club.

Neil, once homeless himself, opened a charity shop in Skinner Street in 2019 which funded the soup kitchens and then the big storage warehouse in Jenkins Dale, Chatham was launched.

There is also an allotment in Hazlemere Drive, Gillingham, where people seeking solace are welcome.

A new second-hand school uniform service has proved popular with cash-strapped families and it has recently formed a partnership with social landlord mhs homes which is donating unwanted furniture left in vacated properties.