HOSPICES in Teesside have been on the receiving end of a call from the police - but it was only to ask them to come to force headquarters and collect some money.

The Butterwick, Teesside and Hartlepool and district hospices' along with Zoe's Place, each picked up a cheque for £924.50, after Cleveland Police held a charity auction on its Intranet site over Christmas.

A rally driving experience, signed shirts from Middlesbrough and Hartlepool football clubs, a weekend break in Penrith and the chance to drive around in Mercedes for the weekend were all on offer during the auction.

Chief Constable Sean Price even dipped into his private cellar to donate some vintage wines for the fundraiser.

He said: "Fundraising for charity is just one facet of putting people first.

"Officers and staff throughout the force have shown again how generous they can be and that generosity has benefited many people."