VISITORS to Cleveland Police's headquarters in Middlesbrough are being held up to ransom this week - but it's all for a good cause.

A friendly Father Christmas, stationed at the gates to the Ladgate Lane premises, is asking drivers for donations for women's refuges and animal rescue centres in the area.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said the cash would be spent on toys for children at the refuges, as well as food and other festive gifts.