A family business is "gutted, angry and emotional" after it was burgled in the early hours of this morning.

Buntings of Maldon in High Street was broken into last night, where the thieves made of with a safe and even the shop's charity boxes.

The business shared a post on social media after the incident.

A spokesman said: "Our lovely shop was burgled last night or the early hours of this morning.

"They have not only taken the charity boxes but also removed a secured safe, smashed the doors in and caused a lot of unnecessary and costly damage.

"With all the nice people in Maldon it saddens me that our High Street is treated this way.

"We will be open as usual tomorrow and endeavour to resume 'normal' service as best we can."

An Essex Police spokesman, said: "We were contacted shortly after 2.20am on Monday 6 May with reports of a burglary at Buntings in Maldon High Street.

"Officers attended and found the front doors had been smashed and a window forced open.

"A four figure sum of cash and charity boxes were stolen.

"Witnesses and anyone with information are asked to call 101 quoting reference 42/70682/19."