KIND-HEARTED bosses at a North-East music shop yesterday gave an electric guitar to a teenager whose tale of woe tugged at their heartstrings.

Paul Rooney, 17, of Billingham, Teesside, fell victim to a scam on the Internet auction website eBay.

The aspiring musician agreed to pay a £400 deposit for a specialist guitar and a further £200 when the instrument was delivered.

The downpayment was paid into a Western Union account through Callers Pegasus, in Billingham.

But no guitar appeared and all his e-mail inquiries were simply greeted with demands for the outstanding money.

When Paul wrote back refusing to pay, he got an e-mail back, which read: "I am sorry to tell you that you will not get any guitar because I do not have one.

"I am very poor and that is my way of making a living. Please do not be angry with me and try to understand that we do not have money like you. I am sorry again and maybe you can forgive me."

Police said similar scams had been reported across Europe - leaving Paul broken-hearted.

But Williams the Music People, in Darlington, came to his aid yesterday after hearing of the sorry affair.

After presenting Paul with a heavy rock EXP400 guitar, managing director Ken Campling said: "We found out about this from the Cleveland Police website.

"The lad obviously loves his music and we just wanted to do something to make it up for him."