SWEET shop owners have stepped in to help a charity after a collection box was stolen from a pub.

The box, in aid of Zoe's Place Baby Hospice, in Middlesbrough, was stolen from The Location, in Post House Wynd, Darlington.

When regular customer Philip Cairns heard that it had been taken, he ordered a giant chocolate Easter egg - so it could be raffled off for the charity.

Mr Cairns runs Granny Fraser's Old Sweet Shop, in Houndgate Mews, Darlington, with partner Ann McPhillips.

The 3ft egg, weighing four-and-a-half kilos, is on display in the shop and will be raffled in the week before Easter.

Tickets can be bought from the sweet shop, The Location, The Golden Cock, in Tubwell Row, and the King's Head Hotel, Priestgate, all Darlington.