locker at St. Brendan's Hospital.

A nurse's aide at the psychiatric hospital told Police he secured the cash in his locker on Friday, but returned to work on Monday to find his key would not open the lock.

When he got it open with the help of hospital engineering staff, he found the money was gone.

"We would discourage people from leaving large quantities of money or other valuables in work lockers,'' said P.c. Gary Venning of Police Community and Media Relations.

"Generally, they are not very substantial and the locks are fairly weak.'' The matter is under investigation.