A CHARITY shop plagued by thieves is appealing for a volunteer store detective.

Shoplifters are proving such a menace that a security guard is urgently needed for the Oxfam shop in Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

Oxfam yesterday described the thefts as "like stealing from a church".

But that has not deterred the thieves who swap price tags on clothes to make them cheaper, or try on garments then walk out without paying.

A £20 note could buy a shirt, trousers and jacket, plus a suit, at the Front Street store.

Manager Alan Christian said: "Despite our prices being so low, still people feel the need to steal. I'm looking for a volunteer who can discreetly improve the security of the shop.

"The vacancy is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to become a store detective or get into security work."

Chris Sleight, Oxfam's volunteer media co-ordinator, said thefts from charity shops had a "nasty" edge to it.

He said: "The garments and clothes are on sale at such cheap prices you wonder why anybody has to steal.

"Obviously some people do feel the need to steal and it's quite a disturbing aspect of modern life - in fact it's almost like stealing from a church.

"I think every Oxfam shop will lose a certain percentage of its revenue through theft as any other high street retailer does. We have obviously reached a point where Chester-le-Street needs a store detective.

"What the thieves don't realise is Oxfam receives donations from members of the public to help people in desperate situations all over the world and locally in this country."

The Chester-le-Street shop also needs volunteers to work on the till, sort stock and to take charge of the fair trade Christmas cards, which go on sale at the end of September.

Alan Christian can be contacted on (0191) 3871383