A shopping spree has helped to boost the funds of three charities by almost £20,000.

Hundreds of people took the opportunity for some early Christmas buying at the Durham Shopping Extravaganza, at the Ramside Hall Hotel, last month.

The two-day event, organised by the extravaganza committee, helped to raise £19,500 for good causes.

Yesterday, the chosen charities - the Children's Society, Durham and Chester-le-Street Carers Support Group and the Willow Burn Hospice - each received a share of the money.

Cheques were presented at the Ramside Hall.

Gillian Smellie and Mary Ann Sinclair, joint chairwomen of the Durham Shopping Extravaganza Committee, were on hand to present the cheques.

Mrs Smellie said: "We are once again delighted with another superb year at the event and we would like to thank our sponsors and all those who attended."

She said this year's success would ensure it would be held again next year.