Thieves have put this year's Wallingford Fun Day in danger, prompting a cry for help from organising committee chairman Chris Tyndall.

The burglars who broke into his Buckell and Ballard estate agents' premises in Market Place and stole a safe also took a black briefcase.

And in that case there were lists of stallholders and supporters of the Fun Day one of the two biggest charity fundraisers in Wallingford's calendar, the other being the annual carnival.

Mr Tyndall said: "I'm not too worried about the safe there was only £20 in it, and it can be replaced. But what cannot be replaced is the mass of material relating to the fun day.

"There was a list of all the stallholders who have supported us over the past seven years, contact numbers of charities and so on.

"If we are to make anything of this year's Fun Day on July 23, then I have to ask all those people to contact me. Those papers are of no use to anyone except the Fun Day organisers.

"I had hoped they and the bag would have been thrown over a hedge once the thieves found there was no money in it. And I have been hoping for someone to find it and return it.

"But nothing like that has happened in the month since the robbery, so I don't think any miracle is going to happen now. Lots of people will have been surprised not to have heard from us, but this is the reason."

Over the years the Fun Day has raised more than £25,000 for local charities.

Last year's money went to Cancer Research UK, the Wallingford Coach for the Disabled, St John's School and the Corn Exchange Theatre.

Anyone involved with this year's event is asked to call Mr Tyndall on 01491 836651.