CHARITY organisers are appealing for "one big push" to hit a fundraising target this weekend.

The Macmillan Cancer Relief County Durham Appeal is close to achieving its 2002 target of £200,000.

Cash raised during the charity's three-year appeal will pay a palliative care consultant, who cares for terminally ill cancer patients, and two extra Macmillan nurses.

County Durham is alone among English counties in having no dedicated palliative care consultant of its own.

Hopes are high that this Sunday's day of antiques at Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, will push the appeal beyond the £200,000 mark.

But the organisation needs to sell more tickets quickly.

"We are very close," said Caroline Peacock, a spokeswoman for the appeal. "With the support of local people we can reach our first year target this Sunday, but we need a good turnout."

Tickets for the Auckland Castle auction and roadshow are still available.

Organisers are also still appealing for donations of items for the auction, to be conducted in the castle chapel by auctioneers Peter Robinson and Steven Dewar and silver expert Marguerite Todd.

Tickets for the auction and roadshow, which start at 1.30pm, are £8 and include entry to the castle and expert assessment of one item. Additional assessments will cost £2 each.

Patrick Dingwall, of Dingwall and Banks, will give an illustrated talk about restoring antique furniture. Tickets for the talk, at 5.30pm, cost £12.

Full day passes, which include admission to the roadshow, auction and talk, and other attractions, from 1.30pm to 6.30pm, are £18.

For more details, tickets, or to make a donation, call 0191-378 1188.