A WELL-KNOWN York Elvis impersonator has condemned the "sick" thieves who broke in to his car while he was singing for charity.

Paul Bulmer was performing on stage at Dunnington Sports Club on Saturday night at an event to raise cash for St Leonard's Hospice and the Injured Jockeys' Holiday Fund when thieves struck.

They broke in to five vehicles parked in the club car park and stole over £1,000 of equipment from Paul's Ford Mondeo, including a CD player, satellite navigation system and radar speed trap detector.

He said: "I felt absolutely devastated, because I was trying to do some good. I do a lot of charity work through my Elvis impersonations, and for this to happen is gutting."

Like all the acts performing on the night 38-year-old Paul gave his Touch of Elvis tribute free of charge, and he had turned down a paid gig in favour of the charity fundraiser.

He entertained the 100-strong crowd with classic Elvis songs, including King Creole and All Shook Up, before he was told of the break-in.

Event organiser Colette Wright said the break-ins had ruined an otherwise fantastic evening.

"It makes you feel quite sick inside for somebody to come along knowing there is a charity function going on and do this, it's sick," said Mrs Wright.

She said news of the break-ins also took people away from an auction which was being held, and meant those people missing out on the chance to bid and raise money. Thieves smashed the windows on Paul's car trying to get in, which has resulted in him taking time off from his job as an IT specialist while repairs were carried out.

In June, Paul, of Middleham Avenue, off Huntington Road, wowed crowds when he came third in an Elvis impersonation contest at the Tap and Spile in Monkgate.

He said he would like to thank patrons at Saturday's fundraiser, who contributed to a whip-round raising £80 towards the cost of the damage. The event raised £1,200 to be split equally between the two nominated charities.

York Police were investigating the incident and appealed for witnesses to phone 01904 669564.

Updated: 08:41 Tuesday, December 07, 2004