SHOPPERS at Gateshead's MetroCentre have given a cancer charity a boost.

For ten days before Christmas, volunteers from Marie Curie Cancer Care ran a gift-wrapping service at the centre and raised £1,815.85.

The money will be given to the Marie Curie Centre, in Newcastle, and to its community nursing service across the region.

Debbie Parry, from Marie Curie Cancer Care, said: "The money raised goes directly to caring for patients with cancer and to help support their families through their difficult period.

"All our services offered from the charity are free of charge so this funding helps massively."

Karen Carr, MetroCentre marketing manager, said: "Almost everybody knows somebody whose life may have been affected by cancer and Marie Curie play an invaluable role in offering support to them and their families."