A 72-YEAR-OLD charity stalwart whose fund-raising efforts were thwarted by a heartless thief is celebrating after a Kidderminster pet shop replaced her stolen cash.

Jean Meredith was featured in last week's Shuttle/Times and News after chasing the thug who stole £108 she had collected for the Celia Hammond Animal Trust.

The pensioner of Lickhill Road, Stourport, said she was "thrilled" Wilsons Pet Centre had now offered to replace the money.

She added it was kind enough the New Road pet store had allowed her to sell her handmade items, which included baby cardigans and socks, outside its premises without putting up the money she had lost.

"It's absolutely splendid - I can't thank them enough," she said.

"It's really kind of them - I just can't believe how supportive they are of animal charities."

She added: "I was very surprised when I heard.

"It was the last thing I expected them to do because they've done so much already."

The Kidderminster store's manager Stuart Lane said head office donated the money after hearing of Jean's plight.

"It just made sense for us to help out ," he said.

"She had done so well to raise the money that I felt it was a real shame she should lose it, so we managed to get a cheque for £100."

He added they had also received a £3 donation from a woman who heard Jean's story on television.