NEARLY 300 Shildon schoolchildren turned themselves into their favourite stars to raise more than £120.

Sporting heroes and TV and pop stars turned out at St John's Primary and Nursery School, in Shildon, where pupils dressed as characters such as Gareth Gates, Dolly Parton, Ali G and Newcastle striker Alan Shearer.

At Spennymoor School, teachers were gunged at the end of a Custard Trail. Year 8 manager Keith Wallis, head of ICT David Stone and Year 7 form manager Lisa Turnbull were chosen for the soaking in a vote.

Other activities, including a non-uniform day, and book and cake stalls took the school's total to more than £500.

Bishop Auckland College students wore slippers and laid a copper trail of coins.

Organisers Catherine Shaw and Anne Ebdon are planning a tug-of-war in the car park next week.

Staff at the Asda supermarket in Bishop Auckland swapped their uniforms for fancy dress.

The five-a-side football team from the company's Spennymoor store had their heads shaved to add to the £1,000 raised earlier last week.

Bishop Barrington School was among several which organised non-uniform days.