A CHARITY which helps stray dogs is facing a £1,500 bill after burglars targeted its shop.

Burglars smashed windows at the back of the shop belonging to Hyndburn Stray Dogs in Need in Whalley Road, Accrington escaping with stock crammed into a bright red wheelie bin and a small amount of cash.

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The alarm was raised after two women spotted the intruders and alerted police to the scene.

The charity’s welfare officer, Steve Wood, said the cost of repairs was a blow to the charity.

Since it was set up Hyndburn Stray Dogs in Need has saved the lives of around 8,000 dogs and it has around 15 local volunteers who help out at its charity shop.

The shop sells clothes, books and bric-a-brac.

Steve said: “Every year we increase our security to stop them breaking in.

“They’ve got a wheelie bin, put it under the window and put another wheelie bin on top of it and smashed their way through.

“We always leave the lights on in the shop and two ladies saw these burglars inside the shop.

“We are going to have to have the windows reinforced. It will cost an arm and a leg. It’s all money we can’t afford. I’d like to treat all the staff to a Christmas bash but we haven’t got the funds to do it.”

Steve added that generous residents have been making donations following the incident with one man offering to buy £50 of raffle tickets.

“We have good regular customers and we have had people giving small donations because they’ve heard what’s happened. There are good people out there.”

A police spokesperson appealed for information for the burglary which took place at around 11.30pm last Wednesday.

She added: “We would urge anyone who may have seen someone acting suspiciously in the area at the time of the burglary or who has any information that could assist with our enquiries to get in touch with us.

“Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting crime reference ED1516378.”