A FUNDRAISING drive to replace money stolen from the Royal Oak Christmas thrift fund in Shrewton has been boosted by £10,000, taking it to just a few thousand away from its £29,000 target.

The money has been raised in just over a week as people flocked to help following news the money, saved by about 60 families, had disappeared, with the £10,000 coming from a single donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

“Shrewton is back on the map for the right reasons,” said Wiltshire councillor Ian West, who represents Till Valley. “This is a community looking after its own in a truly humbling way.

"BBC and ITV news crews, radio and newspaper reporters are all here telling the world how such a terrible event has brought people together – a real Christmas spirit that is making millions of people smile.”

Villagers feared they would have to “cancel Christmas” as some lost more than £2,000 they had saved over the year.

But following the publication of a story on the front page of the Journal, it was publicised nationally, and the money started pouring in.

Shrewton Parish Council held an emergency meeting on Thursday and set up a PayPal account at shrewton.com with the aim of replacing the money by Christmas Eve.

The site raised thousands within hours and scores of other collections and fundraising events, including a car wash and church services, were held in the village over the weekend.

* Police are investigating the disappearance of Royal Oak landlord Malcolm Levesconte, 59, who was last seen on Sunday and is known to have boarded a ferry at Portsmouth, bound for St Malo, France.

Officers are increasingly worried for his safety and anyone with information is asked to contact Salisbury CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.