STAFF at a doctor’s surgery in Malvern were appalled when someone stole a Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal collection tin.

Itwas taken from the New Court Surgery in Pickersleigh Road on Tuesday.

Practice manager Richard Vakis said: “It really is appalling that someone came in and just took it. With the war that is going on at the moment and the horrific injuries soldiers are receiving, it really is despicable.”

He was unable to say how much money was in the tin but said it was already quite heavy and had been attached to a panic alarm, which the thief had managed to detach.

Mr Vakis said: “We are all so upset about this. A number of patients at the practice, some of whom were quite elderly, have been seen to be putting large amounts of money into the tin and digging quite deep.”

The Royal British Legion’s 2009 Poppy Appeal is targeting support for the wounded soldiers serving in Afghanistan and the families of those who have been killed.

Jeff King, county chairman of the Royal British Legion, said: “For them to steal from people who have lost limbs and are heroes is just awful. We are doing our utmost to raise money for these people. This person, whoever it is, is a coward and they should get their money by working for it, not stealing it. It just makes me so wild to think about this happening.”

West Mercia Police have been informed and anyone with any information should contact them on 0300 3333000 quoting the crime reference number 111S041109.