Charity boat theft anger.

A maritime charity has hit out at thieves who stole a boat which was to be used for the benefit of the community.

The boat was donated to the North Shields Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS) by the Tyne & Wear Fire Service.

The charity, which meets weekly at Clifford's Fort on the Fish Quay, was in the process of revamping the vessel, which was berthed at boat repair firm Tyne Slipway and Engineering, on Commercial Road in South Shields.

But the 5.8m long boat, which had an aluminium hull, was stolen at around 9.15pm on Thursday night. It was worth around pounds 8,000.

Thieves entered the yard, forced the gate and smashed the security light. The boat was being refurbished and had been stripped down to its aluminium base.

It was on a trailer and thieves apparently backed a white transit van into the yard and quickly towed the boat away. The vessel has a beam of 2.3m and the cabin of the boat is red.

The MVS unit, which has 12 volunteers, trains people in maritime skills, seamanship, communication and navigation. Members also take part in community activities like the Clean Tyne project and provide assistance to organisations including the Port of Tyne. They acted as marshals in the Tall Ships event.

Keith Newman, secretary of the unit, said: "Everything we do is voluntary and paid for by the members themselves ( uniforms, training exercises and boats. We fundraise when we can.

"This theft is absolutely terrible. It is a real shame, not only for the members but for the public who would have benefited from the boat being on the river."

Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to contact South Shields CID on 08456 043 043 ext 65126/7 or to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.