A MAN was left stunned after he was offered counselling to help him cope with the loss of his wheelie bin.

Karim Allison, of Ormesby, Middlesbrough, said he was stunned when he received a letter from Victim Support offering him "emotional support and practical help" over the missing bin.

The 47-year-old said: "I just cannot believe it. Who would need victim support over a wheelie bin?

"At first I was wondering whether someone sent me this letter as a joke, because it is so unbelievable. It is ridiculous.

"When I read it, I did not even know what it was on about."

A few months ago, Mr Allison mentioned to a neighbourhood beat officer that his bin had gone.

But he thought nothing more of it until he was sent the letter by Middlesbrough Victim Support.

Wondering whether the letter was a hoax, he checked with police.

Cleveland Police confirmed the incident had been logged on the crime database.

Mr Allison, who works at The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, said he was not emotionally attached to his wheelie bin and had managed to get over its loss without counselling.

He said: "I do not need victim support, I just need a new bin.

"There are victims of crime out there who need these people much more than I would need them over this."

Mr Allison now has a new bin.

Cleveland Police, which referred the case to Victim Support, said the service was offered to all victims of crime.

Victim Support said the organisation offered support to those who have reported all types of crime, regardless of the severity.

A spokesman said: "We recognise that it is a trivial thing, but it proves that the system is working."