Thieves steal letters meant for Father Christmas

Thieves have broken into a postbox which has been used by youngsters in the Black Country for more than 25 years to send letters to Santa.

Every year, hundreds of wish-list letters are dropped in the postbox outside Hilda Creaney's home in Willenhall. The grandmother-of-two collects the letters from Walsall Street and spends four to five hours a day sorting out replies with Santa to the children.

But she was outraged to find vandals had smashed locks on the box to steal what was inside.

The 69-year-old said: "The postbox, which is painted with Father Christmas, has been out for about three weeks.

"We were getting quite a few letters posted in it every night.

"Once the schools break up it tends to go a bit quiet with the letters but it hasn't at all this year.

"I've been doing this for 25 to 30 years.

"I couldn't believe it when I went out to get the letters and saw the locks had been smashed on the postbox,"?she added.

"There was nothing left inside. I feel so angry."

Mrs Creaney, who also decorates the outside of her home every Christmas with brightly coloured festive lights and characters, said the break-in happened between 5.30pm and 9pm on Tuesday.

"I didn't see or hear anyone and don't know why anyone would do such a thing," she added.

"Last year, there were 347 letters.

"People come from all over the borough and beyond to post them.

"The letters are sent back to Wolverhampton, Walsall, Lichfield, and even as far as India one year.

"I just feel angry that some children will now be waiting for their replies from Santa and will not be able to have them.

"What will they think of Santa?"