FATHER Christmas and his little helper have been left feeling far from jolly after a stack of chocolate boxes destined for the children of Ammanford were stolen from their grotto.

Santa and his elf only learnt of the theft - which took place in Shoppers' World - as they prepared to bring some Christmas cheer to the excited youngsters on Thursday, December 11.

A total of 20 selection boxes were stolen either during the previous afternoon or on the morning of the giveaway.

"I could not believe it," said Shoppers' World stallholder Francis Rees, who created the grotto and invited Santa to make an appearance.

“It was only when I was setting up the grotto on Thursday that I noticed someone had moved around the presents in the display.

"I then realised that all the chocolate boxes were missing."

The grotto had proved a fantastic success in the run up to the theft with more than 30 children a day coming along to meet Santa and have their photograph taken with the man in the big red suit and beard.

Francis set up the grotto with a budget of just £30 in a bid to raise funds for the junior section of Ammanford AFC.

"Every penny raised was to have been donated to the junior teams at the football club," said Francis.

“This was the first year we have had a grotto in Shoppers' World and it was proving a massive success. "All the kids were really enjoying visiting Father Christmas.

"The grotto has gone down really well, but the thieves who stole all the Christmas presents have put a real dampener on things."

The theft has been made even worse because it seems that the culprits have got away with their crime.

“I called the police but as there are no CCTV cameras in the arcade it is unlikely the thieves will be caught," said Francis.

“Whoever stole the sweets should be utterly ashamed of themselves.

"To steal sweets for children from a charity fundraiser is about as low as someone can get.

“I hope the theives have very merry Christmas and a happy new year.”

Police are investigating the theft and are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact them on 101.

Father Christmas was said to be very saddened by the incident.