A CORNER shop has offered a reward for help in catching a thief who dodged closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

The theft happened at Bells Stores, in Red Hall, Darlington, on Saturday evening, during one of the store's busiest times of the week.

The store chain's security manager and the police are hoping to catch the crook with the help of the public.

Barrie Hodgson said the shop, in White Hart Crescent, was very busy at the time of the theft. A large number of customers were queuing to buy Lottery tickets before the deadline.

The thief walked into the shop, tilted the CCTV camera towards the ceiling and walked into the store's office.

In the office, he found an undisclosed amount of cash in notes and change.

Mr Hodgson said: "He emptied the contents of a waste bin on the floor and then used the bin to carry away the heavier change."

The navy blue plastic bin is about 3ft tall. It is a swing top bin, but the lid was left behind.

Mr Hodgson said: "Before he left, he removed the CCTV video, left through the delivery door and headed in a direction towards Mallory Court.

"We believe it was a male involved because somebody has seen him walking across the green carrying the bin, before he met a woman.

"It is possible he came in to steal some stock but found the office." The theft happened between 6pm and 7.30pm.

Mr Hodgson said: "At that time on a Saturday all our stores are manic because people are trying to buy their Lottery tickets. Staff would have been busy. He would have walked in as a customer."

He is hoping somebody who was in the store at that time might have seen something and he is offering a substantial reward for any information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Detective Sergeant Sean Jackson said: "If anybody has any information please contact us in the strictest confidence, or Crimestoppers, all we need is a name."

Contact Durham Police on 0845 60 60 365, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Mr Hodgson on 07970 565 335.