LOCAL charities in Morecambe are benefitting from the proceeds of crime - with the blessing of police.

Bobbies have handed over alcohol seized from under age drinkers to the groups to boost fund-raising.

It is hoped the booze can be offered as raffle and tombola prizes by the locals who include Animal Concern, the Samaritans, Christie Hospital, Trumacar Action Group, Victim Support, Beaumont College and Barnardo's.

In all, Morecambe neighbourhood police have handed over more than 200 bottles and cans of alcohol to following operations as part of the 'Operation Summer Nights' campaign designed to tackle anti-social and drunken behaviour.

Sgt Mike Adamson says the alternative would have been simply pouring the alcohol away.

He says: "It has been great to be able to put the seized alcohol to good use but it is a shame that we have to act to take it from local youths in the first place.

"We have already nearly replaced the alcohol which has been distributed and we will continue to target drunkenness, disorder and its associated criminal damage until the youths curb their behaviour and act responsibly."