DISGUSTED Vince Ayris has spoken of his contempt after heartless thieves broke into his shop and stole cash destined for injured soldiers.

Vince – who engraves details of fallen heroes onto artillery shells to pass onto the families of dead servicemen and women – has said he is more upset the thieves stole the Help For Heroes charity box than his till full of cash.

His shop, on Havelock Street, was burgled overnight between Friday night and Saturday morning.

Thieves smashed their way into the back of the shop using a heavy implement.

They then grabbed the collection box, which Vince estimates contained around £90, and a further £100 from the till.

Vince said: “I am so upset and annoyed with this.

“We decided back in December to turn the tip box into a collection point for Help For Heroes and we have to constantly empty it as people are so generous – sticking in notes.

“I reckon we have raised in excess of £500 since then.

“I cant believe someone would target a charity in this way.

“It is beyond contempt.

“They smashed their way through the back of the shop.

“If they had that much determination to get a job they’d be fine. The police have been fantastic and I just hope they find some forensic evidence.

“I also hope that there is something on the Brunel Centre’s CCTV.”

Police officers might have recovered a trainer print from the scene and have removed a large section of the shop’s window pane in the hope of finding a fingerprint.

To date, Vince has engraved 55 shells for the fallen heroes and does not charge for them.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Wiltshire Police on 0845 408 7000, or anonymously, on the Crimestoppers number, 0800 555 111.