THIEVES have once again wiped the smile from the face of a kind-hearted Stanford youngster who brightens up lives across the community with his knitting and crochet efforts and fundraising.

Stanley Jackson, whose exploits can be viewed via his Facebook page, had produced a number of woollen post box toppers that have brightened up boxes in Stanford and Corringham.

In May Thurrock Nub News reported on the theft of one of them, and now another box has been targeted.

Stanley's mum Kristina, has reported that and illuminated display at the end of First avenue, which included a lighthouse with a working solar light, has been victim of an unking act, with the solar light stole – though the rest of the topper remains.

Kristina says: "Can I just ask whoever has taken the lighthouse solar light from the middle of his post box topper please return it? If you're that desperate for a solar light all you had to do was ask and I would have got you one.

"Stanley brought that out of his own money and spent ages making it. This is the second topper targeted so I won't be letting him make any more."

The latest act has been condemned by many people on social media, summed up by this comment from local Methodist preacher Maureen McPherson, who said: "What a shame. Stanley has a wonderful talent which he has shared with us all. It is hurtful when his work is destroyed or removed. He has given so much joy for many people."