THIEVES are putting lives at risk by targeting town centre charity shops, staff warned today.

Cancer Research UK said it was losing thousands of pounds through thefts from its store in Northgate, Blackburn.

Manager Maureen Williams said money lost through shoplifting could affect life and death research -- and her fears were backed by other charities operating in the town.

Today police pledged to do more to help the shops, which do not have the money to invest in high-tech security measures.

Mrs Williams said they have been driven to desperate measures such as sticking stock to shelves but it had not stopped thieves pouncing on a daily basis - costing them up to £1,000 over the past three months.

She added: "That money could be the difference between life and death. I mean, how low can you get?

"Today one cheeky lad stuffed his old jumper on the rack and walked out with a new one on."

Some goods at the shops are bought rather than donated, in preparation for Christmas and staff say they are the most common target, with new radios and clothes, meaning £50-worth of stock can be stolen in one swoop.

She said the shop had now been forced to join the town centre radio link with Blackburn police and town centre security.

Cancer Research UK will have to buy its own radios and pay a yearly subscription for the service - something many charity shops cannot afford to do.

Mrs Williams said staff, who are mostly voluntary and elderly in their shops were scared, adding: "Thieves are watching the shop, they must be, which is really scary because they only strike when elderly ones are in because they can do little to stop them."

Susan Hunt, manager at charity shop, Scope, Ainsworth Street, Blackburn, reported a similar "sickening" routine. She said it was a problem with charity shops across the town centre.

She added: "It happens here at least three or four times a week.

"People seem to think that because a lot of the stuff is donated that it is kind of free and we won't miss it."

Linda Fonseka, manager at NHS, National Children's Home, New Market Street, Blackburn, said: "Its a sick world.

"It happens every day and we are losing out on money for the children.

"It's simply due to lack of security and we are seen as an easy target."

Town centre sergeant Rachel Hanley, for Blackburn Police, said: "We are concerned with instances of crime in charity shops in the town centre.

"They can be targeted as they don't have funding to install top rate security.

"I have spoken to our crime prevention officers today and they are happy to visit them to help reduce the dangers of crime in their stores."