A Blackburn toy store has been accused of playing Scrooge after its staff allegedly moved away a festive-themed charity collection from near the shop entrance.

Police cadets were raising money for the Rotary Club of Great Britain outside the Smyths Toys store in Hyndburn Retail Park, Blackburn, on Saturday, December 3, and Saturday, December 10.

Joining them in fundraising was someone dressed as Father Christmas, who had Santa’s sleigh with him.

They began the first weekend outside Smyths but by the next week, they had moved further down the retail park and were outside the Prestige Beds store.

Rawden Kerr, who was shopping in the retail park when they were outside Prestige Beds, said he suggested to the collectors they might be able to raise more money if they were closer to Smyths.

However, they alleged that when they were there the previous week, the toy store’s manager physically moved the sleigh away from the store because “Smyths does not allow charity collections outside their stores.”

Mr Kerr said the sleigh had been parked in a public bay outside the store when it was moved by the manager.

He added: “I parked up and saw Father Christmas, his sleigh and several police cadets collecting money for a charity who help the community.

“I suggested to the collectors that they would be better off nearer to Smyths but it turned out they had originally parked in a public bay next to the door to Smyths the previous weekend and the manager had physically moved the sleigh away from the store.

“Since when has a public parking space been anything to do with Smyths?”

The Lancashire Telegraph approached Smyths for a comment but did not receive one.