DURHAM University students have taken part in an annual event to raise funds for meningitis research.

They left the city dressed in a range of costumes to descend on the capital to take part in London Loot.

For two days they collected cash on the tube and mainline train stations as well as on the city's streets.

The Durham students collected £5,245, which helped the grand total to reach £35,792, beating last year's total by nearly £10,000.

A spokesman for the Meningitis Research Foundation said: "We are extremely grateful for all the hard work the local students have put in to make this year's London Loot such a success. As Meningitis Research Foundation relies almost entirely upon voluntary donations to fund its crucial work, this phenomenal total will be a really valuable contribution towards the charity's work."