A preacher is challenging people to hand in stolen goods in amnesty bins at Colchester's Charter Hall on Saturday.

Speaker J John is holding a series of talks based on the Ten Commandments at the hall and last week took "thou shall not steal" as his theme.

He encouraged people to return goods which do not belong to them and also arranged for large amnesty dustbins to be placed in the hall.

Spokesman Mark Firmin, associate pastor at Colchester area community church, said: "Returned items will be disposed of in the most practical way and any funds raised will be distributed to charities that help people in need.

"When this series was run elsewhere in the country, J John's challenge resulted in the return of a variety of stolen goods, including firearms and computers."

J John said: "The person who makes a mistake and doesn't correct it is making another mistake."

The events have been organised by 35 Colchester churches. The talk this Saturday , entitled How To Affair Proof Your Relationship, starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £2 and are available from the Charter Hall box office at Colchester Leisure World. Further details about the course of talks are available from the 10 Truths office on 01206 508948.

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