CASH for vital life-saving equipment used by Hampshire's flying squad of doctors has been snatched by thieves.

Hundreds of pounds worth of loose change had been kept in a gallon whisky bottle on the bar of the Master Builder pub in Swaythling Road, West End.

Regulars had spent a year collecting about £500, which was going to be handed over to Hampshire BASICS (the British Association for Immediate Care) - a volunteer team of medics who, alongside ambulance and fire service crews, provide care for the critically- injured at accident scenes.

The bottle was taken between 10-11pm on Sunday, January 28.

Relief manageress Jenny Valentine said it was so heavy that the thieves would have needed a getaway vehicle to take it away.

"It is an awful and wicked thing to do," said Mrs Valentine, who has been breaking the shock news to pub customers.

Pc Ali Mears, of Hedge End Police, said: "The theft of charity money is always sickening.

"There were other customers in the pub at that time on Sunday and somebody must have seen the thief."

West End GP Dr Simon Le Besque, who is Hampshire BASIC's equipment co-ordinator, said the money was going to be spent on important life-saving equipment.

He added: "I pity people who stoop so low."

Dr Le Besque thanked all the customers at the Master Builder who had collected the money.

He said that he was saddened their efforts would now be in vain.

The volunteer accident doctor service was set up in 1979 and is on call 24 hours a day.

Hampshire BASICS consists of about 25 doctors who, on an entirely voluntary basis, support other rescue services at the scenes of serious accidents.

They attended the recent M27 tragedy when two drivers died in a head-on smash after one had travelled the wrong way along the motorway. A third driver was injured in the crash.

As well as car accidents, the team is called out to a variety of emergencies, including industrial accidents and airport alerts.

* Anybody with information about the charity bottle theft from the Master Builder should contact Hedge End Police on 0845 045 4545.