A breast cancer sufferer has slammed thieves who stole charity bags left outside homes on a Bury estate.

Three men in a white Transit van sped around various streets in the Blackford Bridge area and loaded the Cancer Research UK bags into the vehicle on Monday.

Later, shocked charity representatives learned of the theft. Mrs Beryl Williamson, of Leyton Drive, had left out a bag along with many of her neighbours.

She said: "This is an absolutely despicable act and I wonder if those responsible will live to regret what they have done if they or one of their family ever has the misfortune to suffer from cancer. I suffer from breast cancer and I don't know how anyone could stoop so low. It's just so annoying."

A Cancer Research UK spokesman said: "We have been made aware of a problem with our household collection in the Blackford Bridge area of Bury on Monday morning. We usually expect to collect between 80 and 100 bags of donated goods in this area, but only collected 40 on this occasion.

"We would urge anyone wishing to donate unwanted goods to charity to ensure that the van driver completing the collection has a registration certificate and ID badge. If members of the public do see anyone acting suspiciously when collecting unwanted goods they should report it to the police."

He continued: "Cancer Research UK shops rely on the goodwill of members of the public to continue donating their unwanted goods and we would encourage the people of Bury to support our household collections."