A KEIGHLEY town centre charity shop has been burgled for the second time in 15 days.

The Sue Ryder Manorlands shop was broken into some time between 5.10pm last Friday and 8.25am last Saturday. The raiders caused extensive damage while getting into the building and also destroyed a safe in order to steal the cash inside.

Managers of the charity shop say they now no longer keep any cash on the premises overnight.

The same shop was previously burgled on August 8, when thieves stole about £2,000, trashed an office and forced the store to close for half a day.

Assistant manager Rachel Fox said the quantity of money taken during the latest raid was much smaller. However, she added that the shop again lost half a day's worth of takings because it had to remain closed until 12.30pm last Saturday.

"It's just mindless damage, it's ridiculous," she said. "It's really frustrating when you put your heart and soul into this and people can just come and steal things.

"We've been chipping in money from our own pockets to buy a floor cleaner for the shop, so the cash wouldn't have to come out of the charity funds. Even the small amount we'd saved was stolen."

Police officers investigating the latest break-in were present at the shop on Tuesday. (Aug 26) A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police appealed for anyone with information on the burglary to call the non-emergency number 101 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111.

Sue Ryder has occupied its present Cavendish Street shop for more than two years, after being based in a smaller property across the road.

Manorlands must raise at least £1.6 million in donations and voluntary income each year to maintain its services for seriously ill people and their families.