FURIOUS charity shop manager Margaret Clemison has spoken of her disgust after a bag was stolen from a volunteer who has Down's Syndrome.

Mrs Clemison said she could not believe it when it was discovered a thief had sneaked into her British Heart Foundation Charity store on Wednesday, May 16, and snatched a handbag full of personal items.

The 25-year-old volunteer discovered the theft when she went to take out her sandwiches at lunchtime. A specially adapted mobile phone as well as her personal diary were among the stolen items.

"It's an absolute disgrace to think that people can stoop so low as to steal from a charity shop," said Mrs Clemison.

"It makes my blood boil to think that someone who sacrifices her own time without pay to help out others is taken advantage of. It is sick."

Mrs Clemison is fed up with thieves leaving empty hangers and screwed up tickets after stealing from the Hart Street Store in High Wycombe and believes they see such shops as easy pickings.

"The fact we have a lot of elderly staff and we don't have laser tags means thieves just take advantage of us," she said.

The volunteer, who does not wish to be named, said she was devastated by the theft.

She said: "It's horrible. My diary, money and phone were all taken. It's going to be hard to find another phone that suited me like that one."

Bill Reid, of High Wycombe's Priory Centre which supports charity organisations, said: "These despicable acts are beyond belief.

"The culprits do not realise how much people suffer when taken advantage of in this way."