Burglars who broke into a Salvation Army hall carted off their booty in a wheelie bin.

As Salvation Army officers geared up for their busiest time of the year, thieves ransacked their headquarters, smashing its windows and stealing the safe and its contents.

Police are investigating the burglary at the hall in Crescent Road, Worthing, which was discovered by a cleaner on Monday morning.

One of the organisation's two wheelie bins was missing and officers believe it may have been used to wheel away the safe.

Majors Darrell and Katrina Thomas, the husband and wife team who head the Salvation Army in Worthing, said the burglars' real victims were the town's needy.

Mrs Thomas said: "People know at Christmas we are very busy. We are either singing carols at the precinct or involved in other activities like Pass the Parcel, so there is a lot of to-ing and fro-ing.

"We don't keep cash on the premises but they took our petty cash, including the safe and a change bottle where people contribute their loose change.

"We are very sad that it has happened and it's a pity people take things when we're not out for making anything for ourselves.

"We are here to help people who are needy and ultimately it is the people who need things who are going to miss out."

The doors and windows of the hall had to be replaced after Sunday night's break-in.