HUNDREDS of young footballers have teamed up with a town's hospice for a Christmas fundraising raffle.

Players from St Mary's FC, which runs 18 teams for youngsters from the Bishop Auckland area, collected prizes and sold tickets for the raffle, to raise almost £3,000.

The money was shared between the Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland, St Mary's and Bishop Auckland Football Club, who each received £972.

Wear Valley District Council chairman Eddie Murphy drew the winning tickets at the hospice this week, when the £1,000 first prize went to a Bishop Auckland FC supporter.

Fundraiser Barbara Fountain said: "It was particularly good to see the young people get involved.

"We enjoyed working with the two clubs. This year is the first we have worked together but it is something I would like to see grow."