A FUNDRAISING Santa delivering over 16-stone of coins to a bank will be given a helping hand by one of the world's strongest men.

Mark Felix, ranked fourth in the world, will help Blackburn Round Table member Andrew Bridge carry an estimated £4,000 into his local branch.

The strong man's offer of help came after Mr Bridge was slapped with a parking ticket last year when he dropped money off at Barclays bank, Deansgate, Haslingden.

Mr Bridge was lumbered with a £30 fine as he unloaded the cash. The money, totalling £3,549 and weighing 101kg, was too heavy for Mr Bridge to carry from the nearest car park so he parked his vehicle on a single yellow line while he stood in line in the bank.

But a parking attendant swooped within the 10 minutes that Mr Bridge was away from his vehicle.

The Round Table was swamped with extra donations after the public read about the controversial ticket in the Lancashire Telegraph. Barclays Bank offered to pay the fine and the ticket was later quashed by Parkwise officials.

This year a team of 12 volunteers dressed as Father Christmas have been collecting money in Blackburn and the surrounding areas, using a sled pulled by a car.

Mr Bridge, of Balmoral Road, Accrington, said the collection would be even bigger this year. The 34-year-old said: "We seem to be up by about 20 per cent so far and hope to get more than £4,000. People are more aware of the collection after what happened last time.

"The money will be used to help various charities and good causes throughout the coming year. We are really grateful to Mr Felix for his offer of help - the bags were quite heavy!"

Mr Felix, 41, from Rishton, said: "Lifting 16-stone of coins will be fairly easy for me. It will be good training for the competitions I will be entering in January. I am glad to be able to help."

Staff at Accrington's Barclays Bank, in Union Street, have also offered the use of a small loading bay near to the bank and a slip for Mr Bridge's dash board that will let parking attendants know he is on business at the bank.

Mr Bridge said: "At this time of year it is good to see that everyone is doing their bit for such a good cause. "