A cancer charity shop has had its windows smashed by vandals for the fourth time in 12 months, writes Paul Warner.

A brick was thrown through the window of the Katharine House hospice shop, in Wesley Lane, Bicester, early on Saturday.

Another window was smashed in May, while similar incidents occurred at Christmas and last October.

The attacks are costing the charity thousands of pounds and shop manager Lorna Zimmer said the bill to replace the latest damage would be 800.

She said: "A similar thing happened in April and it cost us 700 to replace the glass. "I feel irate. We are a charity and simply cannot afford to spend money on this sort of thing. It could be better spent helping people who are ill."

Mrs Zimmer said that a donations box was stolen from the shop a fortnight ago.

"I have no idea why we are constantly being targeted," she added.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman described the vandalism as "mindless".

Anyone with information can contact Bicester police on 01869 364520 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.