A CHARITY can once again collect and deliver donations after its stolen van was returned.

The van, which is used in Brentwood for the delivery and collection of bulky items and donations for the Saint Francis Hospice, was stolen from a driveway in the Avon Road area of Cranham in January.

Staff at the hospice were devastated but can now celebrate after a man was arrested and charged with the theft of the 3.5 tonne Ford Transit Luton Van.

Although the van had suffered some damage and all of the charity's branding had been removed, it is now back in working condition.

Michelle Nicholls, General Manager, said: "We are very pleased to have it back and would like to say thank-you to everyone who helped us recover the vehicle and were so generous in offering their help to us when it was off the road.

"The tail lift was damaged and had to be repaired, and while it was off the road we also upgraded the security with new additional locks, a fuel cut off system and tracker.