VILLAGERS turned out in force this weekend to support their local hospital.

A battle of the sexes fancy dress football match, on Wolsingham recreation ground, marked the start of a day fundraising in the village on Sunday.

The game, which was followed by mini events at the village workingmen's club, raised £4,906.68 for the Weardale Community Hospital, in Stanhope.

The hospital is to have a conservatory built, which will be used as a day hospice, and money is needed to buy an electric bed and two electric orthopaedic chairs.

The total was boosted early in the day by a £2,600 donation from Heatherview Caravan Park and Neil Tennant, of the Pet Shop Boys, who gave £500.

Fundraiser Anita Savoury said: "The people from the Dales all have big hearts and their generosity is greatly appreciated.

"The opening of the hospice will save people from travelling into Bishop Auckland for treatment and I am really grateful to everyone who contributed to Sunday's event.''

Julie Walton, modern matron at the hospital, said: "This has been absolutely marvellous. This is going to mean that we can have the hospice up and running much sooner than we anticipated."