Earls Colne Poppy appeal collectors raised a record amount - despite thieves stealing one of their tins.

The Earls Colne and White Colne Poppy Appeal raised £6,951.21, nearly £900 more than last year.

Organiser Pat Threadgill, who is retiring from her post after seven years, said: "Unfortunately we could well have reached our target of £7,000, had the collecting tin from the Co-op not been stolen.

"About 20 supermarkets throughout Essex were targeted, Earls Colne being one of them."

Mrs Threadgill said the thieves had replaced the full tin with an empty one, which was later filled with about £40 worth of donations by shoppers.

She believed the stolen one had about £50, based on the amount raised at the Co-Op last year.