A CHARITY shop worker has branded thieves which broke into a hospice shop as sick.

As later editions of the Argus reported yesterday thieves broke into the Friends of St Anne's Hospice shop in Risca Road on Wednesday night.

They stole jewellery, a portable TV and even the shops collection box.

Helper Laura Buchanan-Smith, also a Newport city councillor, said: "I am absolutely disgusted, they are sick.

"They are the lowest of the low to steal from a hospice shop and one day they made need our services.

"Every penny from what's on sale in the shop goes to the charity as none of us get paid as we are all volunteers. It hurts even more as a lot of us have got cancer so its very close to our hearts."

She added that the thieves even stole a pair of shoes and her daughter's study books from the shop.

St Anne's Hospice is Gwent's only in-patient hospice and is based next to St Joseph's Hospital in Malpas.

The hospice needs about £800,000 a year to cover its running costs and last year kind-hearted Argus readers helped raise £116,600 in six months.

The thieves used a lilac storage box to carried the stolen items away in.

Police have branded the attack as "callous" and are appealing for people with any information to contact them on 01633-244999.