AN AMATEUR antiques dealer claims a local charity owes him money for relics they sold on his behalf.

Michael Murrin, 52, of Goodwood Avenue, Fulwood, claims he has been waiting for a cheque from Samlesbury Hall Trust since June this year.

It comes after he delivered a number of items to the trust for sale in their display rooms.

The charity, based at the 14th century manor house, in Preston New Road, went on to sell most of Mr Murrin's collectables including a brass fire set and pictures.

Three months ago just two items, both prints, were left to sell when Mr Murrin received a call from the trust to say they had received an offer of £65 for one of them. Mr Murrin claims he asked the trust to accept the offer and agreed to collect the remaining print, which he did.

But, according to Mr Murrin, he has never received a penny for his antiques despite being assured by the trust that a cheque was in the post.

Since then, Mr Murrin claims, he has sent numerous correspondence to the trust requesting his money but, he says, he has never received a reply. "When I went to collect the picture at the end of June I was told a cheque would be mailed to me that week," said the father-of-three.

"I still haven't had a penny and can't believe the contemptuous attitude with which they have treated me."

Now he is planning to lodge a formal complaint with the Charity Commission, London, a national watchdog of good causes

Samlesbury Hall Trust, which has held antique sales for a number of years, takes a commission from the antique sales to put toward repairs of the stately home.

Trust managing director Sharon Jones said: "This is a regrettable situation.

"The accounts department were not aware that Mr Murrin had collected the remaining item in June and we have a policy not to pay money until all goods are collected.

"A cheque is now in the post."