AN OLD soldier who thought he had won a fortune ordered a new car, a caravan, with accessories, two holidays and a host of electrical equipment - only to discover he had been duped.

Sixty-eight-year-old Harry Day, of Darlington, went on the spending spree after being told he had won £20,000 in a free prize draw.

Last December, the pensioner ordered some chocolates from a London mail order company. A few weeks later, as well as the sweets, he received a letter telling him he had won a competition.

Although he doubted its authenticity at first, he was soon inundated with other mail confirming the win and urging him to claim his prize.

He said: "I asked my neighbours and friends to look at the letters and they all said I had won the money. There was no small print."

Four months later, Mr Day, who is registered disabled, has not received a penny from the company and has been unable to contact them.

He said: "I have spent about £650 on all sorts of things.

"I booked to go to Egypt to visit the places I was stationed as a serviceman in the 1950s, as well as a holiday in Spain later in the year."

But when he tried to claim his prize - nothing was forthcoming. He has sent registered letters asking for his money, but they have not been answered.

Mr Day has contacted the retailers he bought goods from to try to get his money back.

So far, only SG Petch, of Darlington, has returned his deposit on a car.

A spokesman for Darlington Trading Standards said people should be cautious about unsolicited mail.