Thieves forced open a donations box at the Scottish cathedral where pop star Madonna’s son Rocco was baptised and made off with an estimated £500.

Three local women had just finished fundraising £350 and had stored the money at Dornoch Cathedral in Sutherland for safe keeping, but the next day it was stolen along with the rest of the cash.

The Rev Susan Brown, who is Moderator Designate of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland – and married Madonna and film director Guy Ritchie at nearby Skibo Castle – said the cathedral was always left open during the day for people to look around, but could now be locked up as a result of the theft.

Mrs Brown said the Perspex donations box is always locked and designed to be crack-proof, but the thief had used something prise it open.