Heartless thieves stole Poppy Appeal cash as a church congregation was observing the nation's two minutes silence.

Between £50 to £100 was stolen from Finmere Parish Church as churchgoers bowed their heads and paid their respects by the war memorial outside.

Around 70 people attended the 9.15am Sunday service which ended with a short procession to the memorial located next to the church gates.

During the church service, Royal British Legion members took the collection, bound for the annual Poppy Appeal, to the Rev Ricky Yates who left the cash on the altar.

"It's left a very sour taste in the mouth," said Mr Yates.

"Firstly, because the money was stolen from the altar and secondly because it was money meant for the Poppy Appeal.

"It's deplorable when money is stolen anyway, but to carry out a theft like this during a formal act of remembrance is unbelievable."

Mr Yates said the church does not know exactly how much was taken and added that a number of "high denomination notes" were stolen.

The theft is being investigated by Pc Shaun Sullivan, from Bicester police station, who describes the thief as "lowest of the low".

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