Members of the public are being warned about an email scam where it is claimed that they need to pay a parking fine.

The emails originate from justice.alerts@public.gov.delivery.com and have been altered to appear as though they have been sent from the Ministry of Justice or GovDelivery.

Detective Inspector Dave Turnbull, from Cleveland Police Economic Crime Unit, said: “The email will ask you to download photographic evidence and forms for making payment but the attachment is likely to contain a virus that will infect your computer. If you receive one of these emails, you should delete it, and not download the attachment.”

Anyone who is concerned should contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit the Action Fraud website at www.actionfraud.police.uk/home

ENERGY ADVICE: PEOPLE in Hartlepool can get the low-down on how to save energy at home and get the best deal on their energy supply at free advice sessions next week. Run by Cleveland Fire Brigade as part of the Citizens Advice Bureau’s ‘Energy Best Deal’ initiative, the sessions are at Central Library in York Road on Tuesday, April 1 from 10am to 11.30am and Wednesday 2 from 2.30pm to 4pm. Places should be booked in advance by calling the library on 01429-272905 or emailing infodesk@hartlepool.gov.uk

CHARITY EVENT: Middlesbrough Soroptimists, a local women’s group, are holding a charities fair on Saturday, April 5 from 10am until 11.30am in St. Margaret’s Church Hall, The Oval, Brookfield, Middlesbrough. Tickets, to include tea or coffee and biscuit, cost £1 at the door or from Alwyn Kraus on 01642-325924. There will be stalls from various charities including hand-made cards for a local cancer charity and Indian goods in support of Soroptimist charitable work in a village near Pune in India.