Donations given to a bogus charity collector were handed to the good cause they were intended for yesterday.

Police handed over a cheque for £179.82 -- the amount collected by a Coventry man who was arrested at the Beehive pub, in Carterton, last June.

Eric Flowers had claimed to be collecting for the Royal National Institute for the Blind, but was charged with deception after a member of the public grew suspicious and called police.

He was sentenced to 120 days in prison and fined £200 at Witney Magistrates' Court last October.

Police spokesman Victoria Bartlett said Flowers had signed the money over to the police, which allowed them to decide to pass it on to the charity.

Handing a cheque to the RNIB, Insp Darren Carver, of Witney police, said: "We felt it was appropriate that they should have the money, as those who had contributed to the collection had wanted to give to this excellent cause.

"We suggest people ask for ID when they make donations and if they're not happy with it they should contact the police.

"This is a relatively rare crime, and we tend to catch them quite quickly, because people get a feeling that something's not right."

Sophie Redman, of the RNIB, said: "Most collectors are legitimate and are doing a wonderful job. Volunteers are vital to our work.

"We're always looking for more across the whole of Oxfordshire."

For more details of volunteering, call 01934 613670.