Thieves raided two charity shops to steal small change donated by children.

The thieves escaped with less than £100 but caused more than £350 of damage.

Cancer Research and the Shaw Trust shops, both in Broadway, Didcot, were raided overnight on Monday.

In identical break-ins, the thieves smashed in the back door before hunting for cash.

They stole a children's donation jar and a foreign currency collection from Cancer Research totalling around £60, and £20 in petty cash from the Shaw Trust.

Cancer Research manager Joanna Bowyer discovered the break-in when she arrived at work yesterday morning.

She said: "They didn't take much but it will cost over £100 to replace the locks.

"They targeted money. They couldn't get into the safe but they went through the office and the drawers. They took the foreign currency that we collected and the money from the kids' donations.

"I was expecting the worst when I came in. I was expecting it to be vandalised but luckily it wasn't."

It was a similar story just yards away at the Shaw Trust, which helps disabled and disadvantaged people.

Shop manager Amanda Jane Herring said: "They kicked the door down. We have a TV, fax machine and CD player but they just went for money and that was a measly £20. That's all that's ever left here."

She added; "The door will cost us £250 and we have to have the front door locks changed as well."

Police carried out detailed examinations of both shops yesterday and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Crime reduction officer Alison Smith said: "Somebody must have heard something. They must have made a lot of noise."

Anyone with information should call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.