SHOPPERS will be getting a helping hand from pupils at a village comprehensive school who are hoping to help with a fundraising push tomorrow night.

Ten pupils and two staff from Hurworth School will be packing bags at Safeway, in Darlington, from 5pm to 8pm.

The effort is part of a major fundraising push to raise £50,000 by the start of the summer, to bid for specialist maths and computing status.

So far, £23,000 has been raised, including £20,000 from the Training and Enterprise Council, and a further £5,000 has been pledged by the Parent Teacher Association.

Events already held include a sleepover and a non-uniform day, which raised £744.

Personal donations have so far totalled £1,095, while businesses have put in £722.50.

The school's bursar, Susan Luke, is also planning a sponsored walk, while gifts have been flooding in for an auction of promises in June.

These include a week in Italy for six, and a weekend in Edinburgh in a Georgian flat to sleep six.

Anybody who would like to donate a promise, or cash towards the bid, can telephone the school on (01325) 720424.