MEMBERS of a choir were left shaken after a conman stole £150 takings during a rehearsal.

The cash had been gathered by the Southend Festival Chorus from the proceeds of ticket sales.

The thief even left a note of thanks after stealing the cash from St Peter’s Church, in Westcliff.

Choir member Helen Durell, 69, said she could not believe the man had the temerity to steal from the choir and leave a note.

She said: “We were shaken rigid by it – we are all honest in this group. A theft like that just took the carpet from underneath us.

“We were in full rehearsal at St Peter’s when the man came in and said he was owed money for dry cleaning..

“He was denied anymoney by our treasurer and was told to see someone from the church but, on the way out, he stopped at the table where there was money from the sale of tickets for our forthcoming concert.

“He took the money and calmly wrote a note of thanks before strolling out – we couldn’t believe it.” She added the concert at St Saviour’s in Westcliff went off without a hitch on Saturday, however, and the group was hoping the cash could be reclaimed on insurance.

A police spokesman said: “The suspect is described as white, age around 30, about 5ft 3ins tall, of slim build with short black hair and was wearing a white tracksuit top.

“He tried to get reimbursement for some dry cleaning, but was refused and later money, around £150, which had been at the rear of the church was missing.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact police at Southend on 101.”

The Southend Festival Chorus’s next performance will feature works by Handel and Purcell at St Saviour’s Church, King’s Road, Westcliff, from 7.30pm on July 11.

Tickets are available from southendfestivalchorus.org.uk