STAFF at an insurance brokers got into the holiday spirit by wearing fancy dress to celebrate when one of their customer's won a national competition.

Derek Eales won £500 of holiday vouchers after entering a competition through the Bishop Auckland branch of Colonnade Insurance, in Newgate Street.

The competition called Put Us to the Test was entered by customers from all branches of the company.

Mr Eales was presented with his prize yesterday.

He said: "To win the competition is just brilliant.

"I think I will use the vouchers to take my wife to Turkey.

"We have been there five times and really love it there.''