Winchester charities are losing out, claims a Christmas card seller, because of the disappearance of a 24-foot advertising banner.

Margaret Roskilly, co-ordinator of Winchester Guildhall's charity card sale, says the volunteer-run shop has been going for 20 years.

But trade has been hit by a series of problems this year, meaning that charities struggling for funding are missing out on the vital Christmas spend.

First of all, says Margaret, she was told the advertising banner could not be hung on the front of the Guildhall.

It's an historic building, she was informed, and management has decided that it should not be festooned with banners.

By the time this was known, it was too late to try and hang the banner across Winchester High Street, said Margaret. "We were late, but it also costs £85 a week, which is quite a lot for a charity to pay."

The team of volunteers resorted to draping the banner over their front gardens and hedges around the city.

But the final straw came last weekend when the banner was pinched from the roundabout at Chilbolton Avenue and Stockbridge Road.

"It was our only banner and it's a whacking great thing24 feet by four feetsaying there are charity Christmas cards for sale at the Guildhall. I don't think it will be of use to anyone else," said Mrs Roskilly.

"Who would steal from a charity? I just have this vision of 20 people walking home and sheltering from the rain under it. It's now probably rolled up in someone's house."

She said she had put notices up around the city to try to advertise the sale, but business was still slow.

"All the money goes back to the charity because it's totally run by volunteers. It's something Winchester should be proud of, but this year we're really struggling. It's a worry because it's the charities who are missing out. It would be nice to be in among the other Christmas things that are happening. At the moment, it's all a bit fraught."

Police have not found any trace of the banner, which Margaret fears will now have to be replaced.

The shop, which operates in the Courtyard Caf in the Guildhall, sells cards from 54 charities, including the Hampshire Autistic Society, Naomi House, CPRE and cancer charities. It is run by four volunteers, supplied by a different charity each day.

A Winchester City Council spokesman said the council had decided not to allow any advertising on the Guildhall. "We have had so many requests from organisations that use the Guildhall. It's so well-used, especially in November and December, that we had to say no to everybody. It's not a matter of discrimination.

"The Guildhall is an historic listed building and it can't be decked with banners throughout the year."

He said every effort had been made to publicise the Christmas card sale using other means.