A CHARITY leader has slammed thieves for ransacking her office and stealing electrical goods -- days before the National Lottery Charities Board was due to visit to assess the organisation for a grant.

Poppy Tanna discovered the burglary when she opened up the centre on Monday.

She said: "They have taken a computer, our new television and video, petty cash and other money.

"The place is in a mess. The doors are all smashed and the front office has been ransacked as well.

"I don't know how people can be so heartless. We struggled to get everything we have.

"We had to call the lottery people and cancel their visit.

"Thankfully they were very sympathetic and have told us that it can be rearranged for a later date.

"They were going to have a good look at us, before agreeing to give us funding."

The centre helps people with disabilities learn basic English and numeracy skills. Poppy said: "We have around 20 people using the centre on a daily basis.

"Now they can't continue with their lessons because the computer and software has gone, along with he videos we use for English lessons.

"Our members really enjoy the sessions and we had managed to expand a lot since we moved into the premises.

"But this burglary has set us back a lot."

Anyone who can help the Pukar Centre with donations should contact Poppy on (01772) 822700 or 07957 301907.