DETECTIVE work by a group of children led to a sticky end for the villain. Project worker Richard Townend found himself covered in shaving cream, launched on paper plates by young sleuths.

They ambushed him after following a trail of clues to identify a mystery villain.

More than 30 children attended a Crime Fighters' Holiday Project, organised at Holy Trinity Church Hall, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, and five scored direct hits with their shaving foam pies.

Mr Townend said: "The activity theme was crime and personal safety.

We thought we would make it light-hearted."

The youngsters have designed their own crime-fighting super heroes, made anti-crime posters and banners and written a crime prevention song.