THOUSANDS of pounds were handed over to local charities last week.

The Freemasons of the town presented nearly £6,000 to local charitable organisations.

The presentation took place at a special dinner last Wednesday, at Freemasons' Hall in Archer Street, Darlington.

The cheques were presented by the chairman of the Freemasons' Hall management committee Lex Thomson, pictured right with the recipients, including Alzheimer's Society, Breast Cancer Research, Cockerton Band, Darlington Carers, Darlington and District MS Society, the Samaritans and St Teresa's Hospice.