A PUBLICAN is appealing for help to catch heartless thieves who among their haul escaped with cash from charity boxes.

The raiders were captured red handed on CCTV rifling the tills at The Maypole Inn, Long Preston, where John and Angela Davis have been in charge for six months.

The two men, who struck at 12.06am on Tuesday, grabbed cash from The Mountain and Cave Rescue, Sue Ryder and Guide Dogs for the Blind charity boxes.

They also made-off with staff wages, the staff tip box, money from the tills, which they damaged, bottles of soft drinks and top of the range whisky.

Mr Davis, who before moving to The Maypole ran the Craven Heifer in Skipton, described the crime as "sickening."

He said: "We're all extremely upset. We've invested significantly into our new pub and want to give back to the local community and despite the attempts of some lowlifes, we will not stop in our endeavours to be the best pub in Yorkshire."

He is appealing to anyone who can help identify the thieves or who might have seen people acting suspiciously near the pub round about the time of the theft.

A Skipton police spokesman said the suspects gained entry through the kitchen window and took three charity boxes, a tip box belonging to staff, a till drawer and four Lenovo tablets.

Anyone with any information should them on 101 and speak to the Force Control Room.

People wishing to remain anonymous you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12170208899 when providing any information.