Heartless thieves have stolen £500 raised by youngsters at a carol service in aid of terminally ill children.

More than 400 people turned out to see kids from three local primary schools in Leven, Fife, singing at the special service in the town’s parish church.

The caring youngsters raised an estimated £500 for Rachel House Children’s Hospice.

But next day, when church volunteers turned up to count the collection, they found the cash has disappeared from the safe – along with an engraved communion cup and plate.

Shocked minister, the Rev Gilbert Nisbet, said: "There’s a certain element to it that is quite awful – it’s stealing from dying children.

• Full story at the Daily Record.

• Filed under Christmas, Church of Scotland, Crime, Scottish Christian News Monitor, Tayside, Fife + Central.