A COMMUNITY fundraiser has won a luxury mini-cruise to Amsterdam.

Iris Ryder won the tickets from community association Hartlepool Partnership for her work at a recent information and fundraising event.

Mrs Ryder, who is resident representative of Seaton Carew on the South Neighbourhood Forum, was named the winner at the event, which was held at Middleton Grange shopping centre and attended by 300 residents.

Her name was put in the hat after she pledged a donation in support of centre manager Cormac Hamilton's 95-mile West Highland Way run in aid of Shopmobility.

The prize - a Mini CruiseBreak provided by ferry operator DFDS Seaways - includes an overnight crossing on board one of its luxury ferries, which have saunas, solarium, cinemas and a la carte restaurant, before visiting Amsterdam.

Runner-up Keith Lucas, who also made a donation in support of Mr Hamilton's campaign, won a meal at the Lotus Garden restaurant, at Hartlepool Marina.

The Hartlepool Partnership is chaired by the town's MP, Peter Mandelson.

It was set up in 1999 to bring together a range of local organisations with the aim of giving the town a strong, united voice while also improving services and facilities.

People who joined local organisations at the event to find out more about the current issues affecting their town were also given the opportunity to visit interactive displays and talk to some of the key people behind the partnership.