A HOME for elderly people has been given an unexpected cash boost by the Mayor of Darlington.

Councillor Doris Jones handed over a cheque for £10,000 to trustees and residents at H A W Cocks Memorial Home, Middleton St George.

The money was part of £26,500 raised by volunteers at the mayor's charity shop, in Darlington, during Coun Jones' mayoral year.

The home was bequeathed to the village by Henry Cocks, lord of the manor at Middleton St George, after his death in 1894.

It has seven houses and is currently home to eight residents, with a 24-hour warden service.

Coun Jones said: "This is a wonderful charity, but because it is rural it does not qualify for many of the usual grants and relies on local people."

"The money is all thanks to the ladies who work in the shop in Darlington. They do a wonderful job and it means I don't have to go bungee jumping or run the London Marathon to raise money for local causes."

The money will be spent on a landscaping project, which will include revamping the front entrance and drive, as well as providing ramps on all the doorsteps.