COUNCIL staff wanting to give something back to the community have raised more than £1,000 for good causes.

Refuse collectors, community wardens, grounds maintenance workers, street cleansers, fleet management drivers, highways engineers and workshop employees from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council all took part in an It's a Knockout competition for local charities.

They split into four teams at Brotton Gala and played to win money for Zoe's Place hospice at Normanby, Tees-side Hospice and Sargent's Caring for Children with Cancer.

"Among the employees quite a few families have had to use these charities," said Sarah Hunter, senior technical assistant in grounds maintenance, who co-ordinated the efforts.

"There was a feeling among the Environmental Services Division, based at Dormanstown and Warrenby, that they wanted to do a charity event to give something back," she said.

Mayor Norah Cooney will present cheques for £403.50 to Zoe's Place, and £250 for both the Teesside Hospice and Sargent's at Eston Town Hall at 2pm today.

A donation of £100 was also made to the Brotton Community Forum for allowing the employees to take part in the event at the Brotton Gala.