POLICE have issued this CCTV image of a man they want to question about the theft of a charity box.

The box, which was full of money intended for the Royal British Legion, was stolen from Fairweather's garden centre, in Beaulieu.

A Fairweather's spokesman said: "We noticed that the charity box was missing and checked the footage from our security cameras.

"It shows someone standing beside the counter and looking at the box before walking away and doing something to the front of his jacket.

"We don't know how much money was in the charity box, but it was practically full.

"Everyone is pretty disgusted at what has happened. Stealing is bad enough but taking money from a charity is even worse.

"We'd sold all our poppies and were feeling pretty good - then something like this happens. You wonder what goes on in the mind of people who commit this sort of crime."

A police spokesman said: "The man shown in the image was in the store around the time the box was stolen. Officers believe he may have vital information that could assist the investigation."

Anyone who witnessed the theft or recognises the man should ring PC Kenneth Heritage-Venning at Hythe police station on 0845 045 45 45.