SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has disappointed fundraisers at Burnham's rescue hovercraft group by asking them to remove a vital charity collection box from its store in the town.

The collection box, which is a miniature replica of Burnham's famous low lighthouse, has been in the shop's entrance foyer for over four years and earns BARB, the life-saving charity behind the town's two hovercrafts, up to £500 a year.

But during the past few weeks a Tesco staff member contacted the charity to ask that it be removed and taken away.

Alan Miller, chairman of BARB, said: "We are deeply disappointed by the store's actions.

"We have received several calls from members of the public asking where the collection box has gone and why."

Tesco spokeswoman Linda Marsh said: "Tesco's clear foyer policy has actually been in place for some years. Nothing has changed.

"We only allow collection boxes in our foyers for Tesco's charity of the year, which is currently the British Red Cross.

"Charity collections are also allowed outside the store on an occasional basis with prior agreement.

"In this case, it would seem the Burnham store only recently realised that this particular box is not in line with the policy and, therefore, asked that it be removed.

"Unfortunately, if we allowed one charity to place a box in our foyer, we would need to allow many more and we wouldn't be able to choose between them."

However, the Asda supermarket chain, which is currently building a new store in Highbridge, has offered to give the collection box a home in its foyer.

An spokesman for ASDA said: "We would be thrilled to have one of BARB's collection boxes in the foyer of our new store when it opens."

Mr Miller added: "This is wonderful news - we are delighted that there's a happy ending to this story."