SCHOOLCHILDREN have joined forces with church leaders to raise money for victims of the Asian tsunami disaster.

Pupils from Ingleton Primary School, near Darlington, together with the Churches in Ingleton group, raised £1,169 to help the aid effort.

Cheques were presented to resident Bob Woolf, who spends much of his time in Thailand.

The money was raised through a bring and buy sale, a sponsored swim and bike ride, and by youngsters selling bracelets.

The money will go towards the cost of a centre for homeless and orphaned children.

The pupils have also beenhelping Women's Institute members with a spring clean around the village.