An appeal to raise cash for an elderly couple whose Christmas presents were stolen at Bluewater has reached its target in just one day.

It comes after an 81-year-old man had been shopping with his wife in Bluewater and was waiting for her in the car park in his new Skoda, with the engine running.

He was reportedly approached by two men in another vehicle, who said there was something dangerous on the back of his car.

Bluewater shopping centre

When the victim got out to have a look, one of the men got into his Skoda and drove it away.

The car was filled with presents, and his wife had just moments before popped back into the centre for some last minute bits.

Bluewater has given the couple a £250 voucher as a gesture of goodwill but now a Just Giving page has been set up to help them claw a bit more back.

Set up by Nikki Redding, it states: "Bluewater have kindly given the couple £250 in vouchers but they lost so much more.Officers were called at 3.48pm on Tuesday, November 15, after the car was stolen from the Lower Thames Walk car park.

"This page has been set up with permission from a family member to help raise some money to at least cover the cost of replacing the presents stolen.

"Please help us bring a little Christmas spirit to this couple and help raise some money so they can replace the presents - thank you."

The target was £500. To donate, visit the page here.

Bluewater shopping centre sits in a former chalk quarry

Officers are also appealing for witnesses, having checked CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition.

The stolen vehicle is a ‘Jungle Green’ Skoda Yeti and bore a ‘66’ registration plate.

It had just over 200 miles on the clock when it was stolen.

The two suspects are white, one aged between 25 and 30 years old and the other between 35 and 50 years old.

PC Paul Growns said: "This was a callous act on a vulnerable person. The car was brand-new and was the first vehicle the victim had bought in more than 20 years.

"There was also a lot of Christmas shopping in the back of the car and what should have been a relaxing happy day out for this couple was ruined by these two individuals and I would urge anyone with information to get in touch with Kent Police."

Anyone with information can call Kent Police on 01474 366149 quoting reference XY/45719/16.