A WATCHDOG is looking into complaints levelled at a charity which is supported by thousands of North-East schoolchildren.

The Charity Commission is poised to launch a full-scale investigation into the operation of Samaritan's Purse - a charity which has been appealing for gift-filled shoe boxes and a £2 donation to cover transport costs to distribution points throughout eastern Europe.

The charity has 80 collection points across the UK, and schools and churches in the region are among its enthusiastic supporters.

A spokeswoman for the commission said: "We have recently received a number of complaints about the charity Samaritan's Purse International Limited.

"We are looking into the concerns that have been raised and considering whether their activities are compatible with their charitable objects and powers.

"The concerns that have been raised relate to the nature of the Operation Christmas Child project in general and to the wider activities of the charity."

Father John Butters looks after a Billingham parish which has just donated more than £600 to the charity.

He said: "As far as we are concerned, the shoe boxes are getting through to the children who need them.

"Donations are also given to cover the cost of delivering them.''

The director of Samaritan's Purse, Simon Barrington, was also involved with the charity Christmas Child, which came off the charities' register in 1996.

Samaritan's Purse chairman Mark Smith said last night that it was removed because of a technicality.

Mr Smith said: "As far as we are concerned we welcome any inquiries they (the commission) want to make. They obviously have to respond to questions and queries that have been raised with them and it is their duty to look into this. But we have nothing to hide.''

Mr Smith said that, in addition to transport costs, there were border dues to pay and "enormous'' administration costs. Any surplus money was put into other projects.