Cash thefts hit soap fan club convention

SUPERFANS were left devastated by thefts of cash during the official fan club’s annual convention at a Leeds hotel.

One woman, who had travelled all the way from Finland for the three-day event, had £1,200 stolen which she had hoped to use to bag a coveted prize in a charity auction – watching a day of filming.

Bank worker Hannele Pakkala, 51, inset, said she was devastated that her “dream of the tour is gone”.

She said: is like a family to me. I know all the characters and know what has happened to them for years.”

West Midlands couple Robin Fletcher, 67, and Fiona Jones, 55, also say they had about £160 stolen. More than 100 people attended the weekend’s celebrations at Weetwood Hall Hotel in Otley Road, which included opportunities to meet the stars of the Leedsfilmed soap, take a tour of the set and enjoy a masquerade ball on the Saturday night. It was during the ball that the thefts are believed to have taken place. In what could be a mystery plot straight out of the soap itself, the victims say money was taken out of their locked hotel rooms but police say there was no sign of forced entry or anyone using keycards to enter the rooms. The hotel’s general manager, Steven Kershaw, said: “Weetwood Hall along with the police are currently investigating this allegation. We have installed the most up-to-date electronic lock system which clearly shows no access to the guest room.”