A BASINGSTOKE couple who decorate their house with hundreds of festive lights each year to raise money for charity were devastated to find that the collection box had been stolen.

Keith and Andrea Brown’s home in Brackley Way, Basingstoke, is visited by hundreds of people each year who admire the twinkling display in their front garden.

Keith said he was “gutted” to discover the collection box in aid of St Michael’s Hospice, which was padlocked to the wall, was stolen overnight on Friday, December 11.

Keith, a grandfather-of-five, said he initially put up the festive lights for his three children, and then grandchildren.

He noticed that lots of people stopped to admire his display, which he adds to each year, and so decided to put a donation box outside to raise money for charity.

The 53-year-old said between £30 and £50 is raised each night, and he hopes to generate more than £500 in total for St Michael’s in Aldermaston Road this festive season.

Keith starts putting up his Christmas lights in November, and it takes him four weekends to complete the display, which this year has the addition of festive music being played if the couple are at home.

Keith first noticed the collection box had been cut from the wall of his home at 8am on Saturday, December 12.

He said: “Someone decided to take the money box.

“They cut the padlock off and took the money. I didn’t phone the police because there were no witnesses.”

He added: “I just hope at the end of the day they needed it more than people in a hospice.

“People donated that money for a good cause and they gave their own money.

“We are gutted because what do we do?”

The company secretary for John Stacey and Sons, in Tadley, said since the theft he now empties the collection box throughout the evening, and there is no money left overnight.

If anyone has information about the theft call Basingstoke police on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.