A MYSTERY tour in a famous television bus has been arranged to raise money for a North-East mother attempting to beat a crippling disease.

Ann Teasdale, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, had to have a leg amputated after contracting the rare condition reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS).

When the condition spread to her other leg, family and friends staged a fundraising appeal to send her to the US for treatment.

Mrs Teasdale, a mother-of-four, is in Texas and making good progress in her battle to avoid a second amputation.

The Ann Teasdale Appeal has topped the £30,000 mark, but fundraising efforts are continuing as the length of her stay is not known.

The latest organisation to stage an event is the Aycliffe and District Bus Preservation Society.

The group owns the bus used in the Heartbeat series, and is lending it out for a mystery tour on Saturday.

The bus leaves Aycliffe Village green at 1pm, and the tour will include a cream tea.

Tickets for the bus, which holds 30 people, cost £7.50 for adults, £4 for children, and £20 for a family ticket.

To book a place, call Bill Blenkinsopp on (01325) 308057.