Cash box stolen from Market Drayton stall

Thieves stole a cash box containing £150 from a stallholder at an annual Christmas farmers' market.

Another stallholder gave chase after the thieves struck at the end of the market, which brought hundreds of shoppers into Market Drayton on Sunday.

The cashbox, which also contained items of sentimental value, was taken from the stall in Cheshire Street some time between 2.30pm and 3pm.

It was stolen from the Jeanie Jewellery stall, whose owner had travelled from Newport to take part in the event.

About 60 traders attended the market, which was launched three years ago to encourage people to support local food and drink producers in Market Drayton and north Shropshire.

Organiser Sharon Fox-Byrne said: "It went really well and there were people all along the street, shopping and supporting the stallholders.

"Unfortunately, someone went behind one of the stalls and grabbed the cash box of a lady from Newport who was running the Jeanie Jewellery stall.

"I understand there was about £150 and other things of sentimental value in it.

"The lady running the stall had gone away to pack up. Someone else who was looking after her stall saw what happened and gave chase, but they were too fast for her."

The farmers' market has proved to be a major success over the last three years, in promoting new and independent traders in Shropshire and raising the profile of Market Drayton.

Miss Fox-Byrne said it was unfortunate that the day was spoilt by the theft, but she hoped that police would find those responsible.

She added: "It was a sad end to a really good day and the worst thing for me is that I brought these producers into the town and this is the way they are treated."

Anyone with information should contact police on 101.

By Winston Brown