THOUSANDS of red balloons will be released next month to mark the opening of a shopping mall.
Eighteen thousand balloons will help celebrate the opening of the Red Mall at Gateshead's MetroCentre.
Shoppers are being encouraged to support local charities by buying tickets from the centre.
Costing £1, each ticket will be attached to a balloon and the three that are retrieved after travelling the furthest will win a prize.
Proceeds will go the Marie Curie, Mind of Gateshead, Debra, the Scouts and the De La Salle charities.
The release will take place on Wednesday, October 6, at 10.30am, the day the Red Mall opens with 22 new stores.
Judith Scanlan, MetroCentre marketing co-ordinator, said: "The support we have had from the local community towards the balloon release has been excellent.
"The balloons should be seen for miles around and the money raised will be going to some very worthy causes."
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