A CIGAR-SMOKING hotel guest who ran up a £350 bill during a week-long stay but left without paying is being hunted by police.

The man, thought to be in his 40s checked into the Lambton Worm hotel in Durham Road, Chester-le-Street, on the evening of Saturday, April 30, and booked a room until Monday, May 9.

He claimed to be from Glasgow and working in the area however, when staff went into his room on the day he was due to depart the hotel, they found no sign of him and his silver Citroen Saxo VTR had disappeared from the car park. Staff suspect he may have left over the course of the preceding weekend.

As well as a £275 bill for his room, the visitor, who claimed to be called Victor Hill, also ran up a £75 bill for drinks, food and cigars.

Although the suspect spoke with a Scottish accent, the land- lady, who had previously lived north of the border, believed it was fake and the Glasgow address he gave also proved to be false.

Nothing else appears to have gone missing from the hotel, but on one occasion he did ask staff to cash a £275 cheque, although the request was refused.

During his stay, the guest, who is described as having greying hair which was slightly receding - would order two pints of Coca-Cola from the bar and a baguette and take them to his room.

PC Duncan Spence, of Chester-le-Street Police, said: "As far as we know, this is the only incident involving this man in our area, but he could attempt the same routine elsewhere, especially the request for staff to cash him a cheque.

"If any hoteliers think he may have been a guest at their establishment recently, we would like to hear from them."

Anyone with information about the incident, of the whereabouts of Mr Hill, is asked to ring police on 0845 6060365 or anonymously via the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.