FIREFIGHTERS and supermarket staff towed an eight-ton vintage fire engine across a car park yesterday to raise money for charity.

Members of Darlington Fire Station's Green Watch took on staff from Asda, in Whinbush Way, to raise funds for Children in Need.

They decided to call it a draw - but by the end of the event their buckets were brimming with change.

Station Officer Ken Ball said: "It was a good laugh and all the lads enjoyed it.

"It attracted a lot of attention and that was the idea, because Asda wanted to raise awareness of what they were doing for Children in Need."

Asda has organised a number of events for the annual BBC fundraiser, culminating in competition to design a 25th birthday card for Pudsey Bear, on Friday.

The winning entry will be put on a cake and sold in the store.

Duty manager Steven McKenna said it had raised about £400 so far but staff were aiming for £1,000.

He said: "We wanted to do something a bit bigger and better than we usually do.

"There was a really good response. People who came in said how much of a laugh it was."