SHOPPERS were treated to mimes and magic when a Charlie Chaplin look-alike visited Middlesbrough.

He entertained children and adults at the Cleveland Shopping Centre, in Albert Road, yesterday.

Complete with trademark moustache, bowler hat and cane, his act was part of a range of activities taking place at the centre, where charity workers from the Teesside Hospice are collecting donations during the Easter Holidays.

Better known as Frank Terry, one half of husband wife and team Duo Dusol, he has been playing the part of Chaplin for more than 20 years.

His wife Jan joined him yesterday to play a rag doll for the acrobatic part of their show.

"We love coming to the North-East and we always get a great welcome because the people here are so friendly," said Mr Terry, 55, of Derby.

"I never thought I would end up playing Charlie for long, but someone said I looked just like him and it has carried on from there."

Teesside Hospice events and activities co-ordinator Sarah Dawson said the slapstick show had been a hit with shoppers and the donations for the charity had been rolling in.

She said: "Charlie was there to entertain the crowds and he has been doing tricks for the kids who seemed to love watching him.

"He got a very good response and really brought the people in and encouraged them to get in touch with the competitions that were organised."

Other activities included an Easter egg tombola, boiled egg decorating, face painting, hair braiding, balloon modelling and a children's colouring competition.