Children are being put through the hatches of recycling banks to steal second-hand clothing, according to charity officials in Lincolnshire.

A recycling bank containing Oxfam donations at Morrisons' car park, in Wainfleet Road, Skegness, has been targeted five times since July.

The practice has been described as "extremely dangerous" and police said lives could be at risk.

Oxfam officials said their shops were suffering due to the stolen donations.

Eight bags of charity clothing were stolen in the latest incident on Friday.

'Have a conscience'

Oxfam spokeswoman Sue Ray said: "They are putting a person into the hopper, usually a child, into a dark metal bank not knowing what's in there.

"It's got to be extremely dangerous."

Police said they are trying to trace those responsible.

PCSO Claire Scott said: "Apart from the fact that clothing being donated by kind members of our community for charity is being stolen, we are concerned someone could become stuck in the metal container and put their life at risk.

"We urge those responsible to have a conscience and stop what they are doing."

Ms Ray said the donations were "desperately needed" by shops and appealed for people to take bags directly into branches.