STUDENTS teamed up with traders this week to show what their town centre has to offer to shoppers through summer.

Bishop Auckland Town Centre Forum held a fashion show in the Town Hall on Wednesday and raised £350 towards a performing arts programme for local youngsters.

Students from Bishop Auckland College modelled bridal wear, summer fashion, jewellery and hairstyles and performed a cabaret.

Traders who took part included Taybeck Bridal, Mackays, Millets, Greenwoods Menswear, Shewans Opticians, Marks and Spencer, Berties, Needful Things and Laurium.

Also participating was Trimmers hairdressing and barbers shop, which this summer celebrates its silver jubilee and is undergoing a Victorian-theme shop front improvement scheme with a grant from Wear Valley District Council.

The anniversary, of 25 years at 156 Newgate Street, also marks a change of direction for owner Jean Wombwell who is looking to take a back seat.

Though she will continue to work for existing clients, Mrs Wombwell said: "I followed my mother into hairdressing in the sixties and trained under Peter Collinge, father of well known Andrew Collinge.

"I'm looking forward to my son and the ten staff taking over the day-to-day management."