SICK children stuck in hospital have had their playthings snatched by thieves who broke into their toy cupboard.

Staff at York Hospital's children's ward were sickened when they found between 15 and 20 PlayStation games had gone missing from the playroom.

The games had been provided for ill children staying on the ward by kind-hearted teenagers who raised the cash to buy them before Christmas.

Ward matron Jill Crampton said: "It's absolutely appalling. People have had the goodness to raise the money for us and now these games have been stolen.

"We've got no games for them to play with now.

"Children are in a vulnerable position when they're ill. The hours are long and they need anything that can help alleviate their fears and help aid their recovery.

"Playthings are essential for us. Anybody who's had a child in hospital will know it's extremely frightening for them.

"To have something stolen from this environment is just terrible. We're helpless to do anything about it."

North Yorkshire Police spokesman Tony Lidgate said: "It's the kind of area where dishonesty is as unexpected as it is unwelcome."

Ms Crampton said the hospital would be grateful for any offers to replace the stolen games for the children in the 30-bed ward. The youngsters, who are aged up to 18 years old, are suffering from illnesses ranging from diabetes to cystic fibrosis.

"We rely on donations for that type of thing - it's to stop them being bored," she said.

Police said they were investigating the theft, believed to have happened during the night earlier this month.

A spokeswoman said there was no CCTV footage available from the secure ward to help officers hunt the thieves. Anyone who would like to donate replacement games is asked to phone the ward on 01904 726117. Anyone with any information about the theft should phone North Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060247.

Updated: 10:32 Wednesday, March 30, 2005