A collection box fundraising for those who served their country has been stolen - the third in a Hampshire town in just three days.

Police have launched a hunt for the thieves who struck in Romsey in the week leading up to Remembrance Sunday tomorrow.

Officers are investigating whether the thefts are linked and have appealed for witnesses to help track down the thieves.

The latest incident happened at Romsey Library, on Station Road, where a Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal box used to collect funds for servicemen and ex-servicemen was stolen from the counter.

The counter was unattended at the time and string used to attach the box to the counter was cut – no-one was seen.

It is not known how much money was in the box but those reporting it said there had been a large number of coins.

It follows a collection box theft from Romsey Hospital when a woman, who was herself said to be wearing a poppy, took it from the outpatient’s reception desk on Tuesday between 1.15pm and 1.25pm.

She was described as white, 5ft 6in tall, with short brown hair and wore a brown bomber-style jacket with black trim around the neck, black leggings and ankle boots.

Then a thief took a poppy collection box from the Alma Road Surgery between 11am and 12.50pm, on Wednesday though no-one was seen.

They appealed for witnesses and anyone with information to call Romsey Police on 101.

Tomorrow thousands of people will gather at 11am across the country to remember those who died service their country in war.