CHARITIES across the region will benefit this Christmas after receiving donations of £10,000 from the Gateshead MetroCentre.

Seventeen charities have been given sums between £500 and £1,000. Those to benefit include Coping with Cancer North-East, British Blind Sport and the Children's Heart Federation.

County Durham groups receiving a windfall include Derwentside Carer's Centre and Cancer Research, in Stanley.

Representatives from the charities received their donations from Jane Holmes, PR and promotions manager at the MetroCentre.

She said: "We are delighted to be able to contribute to such a varied number of excellent causes in the area.

"MetroCentre always strives to put money back into the community and this is one of the best ways we can get involved."