A TOWN centre charity shop has been targeted by ‘scum of the earth’ burglars twice in just three weeks since opening.

Volunteers at the Cancer Research shop said they had been left distraught by the repeated break-ins.

Charity bosses are now considering fitting metal shutters to the front of the store to stop any further raiders from entering.

In the latest raid early on Thursday a brick was hurled through a glass panel next to the front door of the Town Hall Street, Blackburn, shop.

It has only just re-opened after a major refurbishment.

Manager Tracy Ackers said: "It is absolutely disgraceful that we keep getting targeting. I just can't understand why anybody would want to do this.

"Our volunteers who work so hard trying to raise money for cancer cures and to help those suffering with cancer have been left devastated."

Carol Fielding, who lost her husband Glyn, 43, to cancer, said she felt ‘devastated’ when she learned of the crime.

The 50-year-old, of Cambridge Street, Accrington, said: “I almost have no words. It’s just a disgusting thing to do and I can’t imagine why anybody would do that to a charity.

“The money they will have to spend on shutters is money that should be going into the charity and helping cancer patients. It’s appalling.”

Raiders climbed through the four foot long and seven inch wide hole left in the smashed glass panel to gain access to the store.

The burglars then forced open a till, which had only been fitted the day before, and after discovering there was no cash they made a search of the premises before escaping through a second floor fire door.

Volunteer cleaner, Brian Sillitoe, alerted bosses at the charity shop about the latest break-in when he arrived at work at 6.45am.

Ms Ackers, 38, said said: "Why they keep doing this beggars belief and every time they vandalise the shop and break things inside we have to foot the bill.

"Cash raised goes towards providing support for people who are in real need during one of the hardest times of their lives and we can't believe why anyone would want to take from them in this way.

"The people that we help are at the lowest point and by taking from our shop you are taking from them."

Three weeks ago raiders smashed the front door of the shop and ransacked the shop.

She said: "This is just another cost on top of all the others that we could have been putting towards the charity but now it is going to get spent on security improvements.

"We have to stop these criminals from doing this again and that means making sure that we have extra security.

"It is a real shame that it has got to this and it is really upsetting."

Ten months ago the shop had to be closed after a ceiling on the second floor collapsed. The newly refurbished shop was re-opened in December.

And now the shop manager is appealing to people to donate unwanted items to help cover the cost of the burglary.

She said: "Now we are appealing for the kind people of East Lancashire to raid their wardrobes and garages and bring their unwanted items to us so we can continue to raise much needed funds for our charity and cover the cost of the damage."

Police have now launched an investigation into the break-in and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

A spokesperson for Lancashire police, said: "We are currently in the process of investigating this break-in and our officers have visited the site.

"We would urge anyone who saw people acting suspiciously around the premises overnight to get in touch with the police immediately."

Cancer Research UK, is the world’s leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research and supports the work of more than 4,000 researchers, doctors and nurses.

Anyone with information should call Blackburn police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.