THIEVES stole gifts bought by Ipswich Town for children in hospital in Suffolk, it emerged today.The club discovered the theft before the gifts were distributed on 16 December, and replaced them before the players headed up to the hospital.

THIEVES stole gifts bought by Ipswich Town for children in hospital in Suffolk, it emerged today.

The club discovered the theft before the gifts were distributed on 16 December, and replaced them before the players headed up to the hospital.

It is understood the gifts had been collected and stored at the Ipswich Town ground and the police have been informed about the theft.

An Ipswich Town spokesman said: “We can confirm a small number of gifts intended for children at the hospital were taken from club premises. They were were replaced by the club. The matter is subject to an ongoing investigation.”

It is understood that the thefts of gifts is not being linked with a separate theft of laptop computers from the club's training ground earlier in the month.