PARENTS kept their heads as they lost their locks and helped to raise nearly £1,000 for charity.

A sponsored head shave was just one of many events that helped to raise £900 for Children-in-Need on Friday, at Auckland Youth and Community Centre, Bishop Auckland.

But the parents who volunteered for the head shave were not the only brave volunteers to take the plunge. Sure Start Wear Valley, which works towards providing opportunities for pre-school children, managed to persuade local police and firemen to take part in a sponsored chest wax.

Sure Start also organised a Funniest Bear Competition and other activities for children and parents on Bishop Auckland's Woodhouse Close estate.

The only target not met was an attempt to create a mile of smiles, by filling a mile-length of wallpaper with smiley faces drawn by children. But youngsters still managed to fill the walls of the community centre with their art work.

Wendy Minhinnett said: "We made probably about half a mile, but it would have had to go round the hall 26 times to stretch a mile.

"We also had a wishing well with running water and children could put money in and make a wish. One kid wished for enough money for the tombola.

"We would like to give a big thank you to anyone and everyone who helped us, because there were such a lot of people who did."