A BOGUS fundraising operation, thought to have collected £100,000 in the name of a North-East disabled children's charity, could have links in the region.

Trustees of the Sunderland-based Lee Sykes Centre for Conductive Education have called in police to investigate the alleged crime.

Syd Sykes, chairman of the trustees, believes a 14-strong team responsible for duping people in Yorkshire are in contact with a bogus collector working in the Gateshead area.

Mr Sykes was unaware of the Yorkshire scam until he received a tip-off.

The Lee Sykes Centre was the first of its kind to offer free treatment to child cerebral palsy sufferers.

Last night, Mr Sykes, whose teenage son, Lee, suffers from cerebral palsy, said: "I am angry that they have taken money from the public and from the charity.

"But I am most bothered because it could be the money that is needed to get not just Lee, but other children on their feet."

Mr Sykes stressed there were strict controls over the charity's 850 official collectors, who operate nationwide.