An appeal by the Bridlington Free Press to save the Salvation Army’s Christmas has raised more than £2,500 within days.

Its front page exclusive last week revealed thieves had stolen £250 in a break-in at the town’s Salvation Army Citadel.

The money had been raised at a clothes and toy sale earlier that day and was to be used to provide a Christmas Day meal for people who would otherwise be on their own.

The Free Press kicked off a collection with a £50 donation and within hours of the edition going on sale, dozens of readers were phoning up and calling at the paper’s office to pledge money.

A local butcher offered turkey, pork and sausages, a Bridlington scaffolding firm promised to buy four turkeys for the Christmas meal and a company which runs two care homes in the town gave the full £250 which had been stolen.

Readers of all ages stepped forward with cash donations, and organisations and businesses in the town added to the total.

Free Press editor Nick Procter said: “The response has been absolutely overwhelming. We felt we had to do something because it is such a deserving cause and the people of Bridlington have done us and the Salvation Army proud with their generosity.

“Someone came in with £10-worth of 5ps and another lady gave £10 because she said without the Salvation Army’s help she would have had nothing during the war.

“Two of our reporters – John Edwards and Alan Brook – were run off their feet the following two days taking donations and pledges.”

Capt Trevor Warmington, of the Bridlington Salvation Army, said he and other members were moved to tears.

He said: “We want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts.”