A BIN bag full of people's personal and banking details has been found in a town centre.

Council workers said the sack, found at the rear of a credit agency firm, contained a large number of unshredded customers' names, addresses, signatures and other personal details, which could have been used for identity theft.

The refuse sack was found in a back alley at the rear of an unnamed credit agency firm in Middlesbrough town centre.

When questioned by officials from Middlesbrough Council, bosses for the firm admitted to a double blunder - forgetting to first shred customers' details and putting the bag out for refuse collection, a day too early.

A council spokesman said; "The firm has a valid waste disposal contract in place.

"It seems, in this instance, it has been an individual lapse, albeit a very serious one.

"Enforcement officers have talked at length to them about the need for security, given the prevalence of identity theft and the damage it can cause.''

Police on Teesside are urging people to shred names and addresses on envelopes.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "Identity fraud in this country is a problem, but the Cleveland area is no worse than anywhere else.

"We would urge members of the public and businesses to shred all personal details. This includes envelopes with names and addresses.''