A thief has struck at a charity book fair on Fore Street.

The Rotary Club of Wellington District was holding its annual charity book fair in the Pop up Shop when the incident took place.

The thief entered the store, before making off with a laptop computer in broad daylight.

In a further blow, the laptop was stored in a bag alongside lists of charities the Club are collecting for - which were also stolen.

The laptop belonged to Paddy Finnegan, a member of the Rotary Club, who said: "There was an unfortunate note to the second day because somebody felt it was appropriate to steal a burgundy coloured HP laptop which was in the shop to present videos to promote rotary and its good causes. 

"The police have been informed of this and have been given details of the computer."

However, the criminal failed to dampen the spirits of Rotary Club members, whose book fair is well on the way toward raising thousands of pounds for charity.

The Rotary Club is asking for voluntary donations in exchange for the books, as part of their efforts to start a games club for children with autism and similar conditions. Donations will also be used to back local dementia charity Reminiscence Learning, and Smile Train, who cure children of cleft lips.

The fair has been boosted by the generosity of Wellington residents, with the record donation so far clocking in at £40.

Nick Williams, the Club's treasurer said: "We've been doing a book fair for four or five years now. We used to sell the books but then discovered we could get as much by giving them away and inviting people to give donations.

"We have raised £560 so far. We would be happy to make two or two and a half thousand. The fair has been massively helped by Steve Parry, the bookshop co-ordinator who is the newest member of the Rotary Club."

But Nick branded the theft disappointing and unexpected.

"Our colleague Paddy had his laptop nicked. He was setting it up for a Rotary activity and somebody pinched it. He put it to one side in a bag and somebody took it. It's disappointing to say the least. You don't expect it in a charity giveaway shop."

Undettered, the Rotary Club will continue to take donations by cash and card in the Pop up Shop until Monday, May 15.