A THIEF who stole a charity box felt so ashamed that he gave himself up to police and repaid the money with an apology, a court was told yesterday.

Teesside Crown Court heard that heroin addict Bryan Horrigan told police that he did not realise that he could sink so low to steal a charity box containing only £4 in loose change. In his defence, John Gillettee said Horrigan, 30, knew that his only hope of staying off heroin was behind bars. The court heard he had spent eight of the last 11 years in custody. Horrigan of Bullamoor Road, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was jailed for ten months after he pleaded guilty to stealing the Charity Aid box from M and C Food Store, Thirsk, North Yorkshire. Horrigan also pleaded guilty to the theft two days later of four bottles of vodka, worth £48, from Safeway, Northallerton, and later the theft of a handbag from a parked car.

HOSPICE BOOST: Free-masons have raised £500 for a North-East children's hospice. The money was raised from the proceeds of a barbecue held by members of the Cleveland Mark Lodge who sold tickets and held a raffle and tombola in aid of the Butterwick Hospice, Stockton. David Poffley, fundraiser for the hospice, said: "A lot of effort goes into raising money like this at a barbecue and we are very grateful to the Freemasons for their support.

CORNISH CALL: A Cornish coastal watch surveillance team will be visiting colleagues in Hartlepool on Monday in a vintage automobile. The Cornish team is raising funds and awareness for the work of the coastguard. They will arrive at Hartlepool's coastwatch team headquarters, next to the RNLI building, at about 9.30am.

CHARITY CASH: Residents of Billingham handed over more than £4,200 to fundraisers during this year's Christian Aid Week. The charity has thanked them for their efforts.

CRAFT FAIR: Groundwork East Durham will hold a summer craft fair and cream tea day at Seaton Holme, in Easington Village, from 11am to 4pm, tomorrow. There will be a variety of stalls selling cakes, jewellery, hand-decorated china, woodcraft, encaustic art and more. Fresh cream teas will also be available.

RAIL SHOW: The Northallerton branch of the Wensleydale Railway Association is promoting a railway exhibition on Sunday, September 28, at Northallerton College. There will be various layouts, trade stands and displays. Admission will be £2 for adults and £1.50 for pensioners and children over five.

SALSA AEROBICS: A ten-week course in salsa aerobics will be held at Chester-le-Street Community Association, on Mondays, between 9.30am and 10.15am. The course costs £30. For more details and enrolment, call 0191-388 4752.

IT SESSIONS: Langley Park and District Community Association is holding computer drop-in sessions on afternoons and evenings at The Institute, Church Street. For further details, call association secretary Alison Spenceley on 0191-373 1876.

HOTEL CHANGES: STR Enterprises is seeking planning permission from Durham City Council to carry out external alterations to buildings at The Bridge Hotel, at Croxdale.