THIEVES who burgled a town centre hair salon stole more than £1,000 that was destined for two local good causes.

The raiders broke into Images Hair and Beauty Salon, in King Street, Spennymoor, overnight on Wednesday and made off with about £1,500.

When staff arrived at the salon on Thursday morning, they found that money raised for a charity event had been taken.

The money had been raised through ticket sales for a fancy dress disco at Merrington Lane Club, on Saturday, April 29.

Cash raised from the event is to be donated to The Learning Library, based in the town, and Spennymoor Boxing Academy.

The Learning Library, which is in its 20th year, lends specialist equipment and resources to people with disabilities or learning difficulties in Sedgefield, Wear Valley, Teesdale, Darlington and Easington.

And Spennymoor Boxing Academy, which has been praised by community leaders for giving local youngsters a positive outlet for their energy, planned to put the funds towards an exchange trip to Australia in October.

Cash from a customers' savings scheme and staff tip boxes, both of which had been collected since the beginning of the year, had also been stolen.

Salon proprietor Lee Bainbridge said: "It was a shock to be burgled, but even worse when I think about what money has been taken.

"Customers had put money aside in our savings club for months, staff who aren't on high wages were saving up their tips and worst of all, two local good causes who work really hard for the area.

"We hope to recoup some of the charity money taken and would urge local businesses to support us in our efforts. The event will still go ahead."

The culprit or culprits are thought to have forced entry into a garage at the rear of the property to gain entrance to the main shop area.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Spennymoor police on 0845 60 60 365.