MORE North-East victims of a foot fetishist have come forward to admit they were duped by the bogus radio presenter.

The Northern Echo reported last week how police were warning women to be on their guard against a trickster who is fascinated with feet.

The conman rings his unsuspecting victims claiming to be a DJ from London-based Capital Radio.

He promises a cash prize - providing they take off their shoes and find a stranger willing to let them rest their naked feet on their back.

Capital Radio bosses say they have received a number of complaints.

Following last week's police warning, more victims have come forward.

Geraldine Payne, who runs the Kudos hair salon in Carrville, near Durham City, and her friend, Brenda Brown, from nearby Sherburn, were both conned.

Ms Payne, 28, said: "He was very plausible. You don't expect someone to have such a strange fixation with feet."

The caller, who said his name was Mike Campbell, called twice and kept her talking - mainly about her feet - for almost 20 minutes.

"He said I had won £260 but I could boost my winnings to £3,000 if I was game for a laugh," she said. "A while later, he called back and started asking about my feet. He even asked me to seek out a stranger, get down on my knees and lick their boots.

"I though it was a bit bizarre, but radio stations do get people to carry out daft stunts and it didn't seem so bad for £3,000."

It was only later, when she read in The Northern Echo about the foot fetish caller, that Ms Payne realised that she had been duped.

"Looking back on it, I feel angry - especially as he called me on the day I was due to go to a funeral. I told him that I had to go to my aunt's funeral and he still persisted.

"Frankly, I think he's got it coming to him if the police catch him."

Fellow victim Ms Brown did not wish to speak about her experiences.

A spokesman for Capital Radio said its customer service department had received several complaints about the calls.

He said: "We do not call people out of the blue and would very much like to speak to this man."

Police urged women to be on their guard. "It sounds funny but it can leave the victim feeling very upset, indeed," said a spokesman.

* Do you know who the foot fetishist is? The police can be contacted on 0191-386-4929