Royal British Legion bosses said last night they were sickened by the theft of two Poppy Appeal collection boxes.

Police officers are appealing for information about a man who walked into a Tesco Express store near Wallingford on Monday and stole a Poppy Appeal charity box.

The following night between 10pm and 7.55am, thieves broke into Collinwood Road United Reform Church, in Headington, Oxford. They damaged cupboards and stole money and the Poppy Appeal collection tin, which contained £11.

The theft at the Tesco store in Ilges Lane, Cholsey, took place at 7.30pm on Monday. The thief was captured on CCTV and police are asking people to come forward and identify him.

Royal British Legion county vice-chairman Jim Lewendon said: “I am sickened to hear this, how low can you get?

“This seems to happen every year and some shopkeepers are becoming afraid to display our tins for fear they will be stolen.”

Anyone with information should call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.