A hospice is stepping up security measures after a spate of thefts of its charity boxes.

More than half a dozen collection containers belonging to Manorlands have been taken from shop counters in the past two months.

Now the Oxenhope Sue Ryder care home is having to invest in special boxes, fitted with chains or security wires, to combat the thieves.

Last year around £30,000 was raised for the hospice through the hundreds of containers it has at outlets across the district.

Manorlands relies heavily on donations and its own fundraising efforts to meet the cost of running the home, which this year is estimated at £1.65 million.

Fundraising manager Janine Walderman said: "It's extremely sad that people will resort to taking charity tins, but unfortunately it has become a real problem for us.

"It is soul-destroying for the shops concerned when these thefts take place, and they quite wrongly feel responsible.

"We are now looking at replacing the existing containers as they come back to us.

"The more secure tins with chains and wires are expensive, but we don't really have any option other than to get them.

"The tins are a good fundraiser for us and we don't want to stop using them."

Detective Inspector Paul Harrison, of Keighley CID, urges anyone with information about the thefts to come forward.

"It is despicable that anybody should consider stealing a charity tin," he said.

Anyone with information should contact the police helpdesk on 01535 617059.