World Cup excitement turned sour in an Abingdon pub after a charity England shirt signed by nine of the 1966 winning team was stolen.

For two weeks the red shirt in a glass frame was displayed and admired by customers at the Old Anchor Inn in St Helen's Wharf.

It was supplied by Our Price Records and was one of 800 limited editions for which landlord Paul White paid £750.

Money goes to charities nominated by Our Price and anything over £750 would have gone to an Abingdon charity. The Old Anchor had chosen to make a donation to the Christ Hospital's almshouses next door.

Mr White believes the framed shirt was stolen sometime during Monday when he and his wife Lesley were on a day off.

He said relief staff did not notice that the shirt had disappeared but were certain it was still in place at closing time on Monday afternoon at 3pm.

The gap on the bar wall underneath the television was first noticed early Tuesday morning by pub lodger Adam Bayliss.

Mr White said: "We think that someone must have walked in, lifted the frame off the hooks and walked out with it. We are very angry with the person who stole it and would like it returned."

Mrs White said the frame measured about 2ft 6in by 2ft and if anyone was seen walking along the street would have been noticed.

She said: "We did not have enough room behind the bar for the framed shirt. I suppose we should have screwed the frame to the wall but did not think for one moment someone would steal it."

Mr White said they still had the certificate of authenticity and without that the shirt was not of great value. He said: "Apart from the fun of the World Cup, this shirt was here to raise money for charities, nationally and locally.

"We had sold more than £100 worth of raffle tickets and the shirt was proving very popular. At the moment we feel very disillusioned having taken over the pub only four months ago."

Pub regular Todd Churchman, from Ock Street, said: "Customers are disgusted the shirt has been stolen.

"The Anchor is trying to enter into the spirit of the World Cup and raise money for charity and then this hits the pub."