THE chief executive of one of the region's charities has condemned a young man for collecting money on false pretences.

The man, claiming to be collecting for the Butterwick Hospice, attempted to obtain money from several shops in the Redcar area between 5pm and 5.30pm on Thursday.

He entered four shops on Park Avenue and said he and a woman had taken part in a charity run for the hospice and asked for money. Two of the shops handed over some cash.

Hospice chief executive Graham Leggatt-Chidgey said: "Obviously, as a charity which provides care for patients without any charge, we are dependent on the community for the majority of our finance.

"I am saddened anyone should falsely purport to be fundraising for us, and I would stress that anybody who is raising sponsorship for us will have one of our sponsorship forms so it should be very clear whether someone is a genuine supporter."

The man, who was said to have a polite attitude, was described as white, aged between 18 and 22, with short, dark hair, and 5ft 8in tall.

He wore a red zip-up bomber jacket, beige trousers and white trainers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Mark Sykes, at Redcar police station, on (01642) 302626.