A CHARITY is celebrating after it raised £760,000 for cancer care - far more than its original target of £600,000.

Last night, officials from the Macmillan Cancer Relief charity paid tribute to the response from the people of County Durham and acknowledged the role of The Northern Echo, which backed the campaign.

Singled out as the worst-served county in England in terms of cancer support for patients and families, Durham people dug deep during the three years of fundraising.

Supporters of the appeal gathered at Auckland Castle last night to celebrate.

Caroline Peacock, co-manager of the appeal, said: "The generosity of the people of Durham has been heart-warming and humbling. We want to thank all of you in every corner of the county."

Ian Bonas, appeal chairman, said he wanted to thank The Northern Echo for its work.

He said: "The Echo took the decision to support the appeal and it has been a major factor in its success."

Maureen Rutter, Macmillan regional director, said the £760,000 had come from a "county which isn't renowned for being economically wealthy, but how wealthy they are in their hearts and in their spirits".

The original target of £600,000 was hit eight months early, allowing Macmillan the luxury of announcing a new target of £760,000.

The aim of the campaign was to appoint County Durham's first full-time palliative care consultant, a specialist to help alleviate the symptoms of terminally-ill cancer patients.

But because of the generosity of supporters and the public, instead of appointing one consultant, Macmillan has appointed two.