SUPERMARKET manager Colin Gourley amused staff and customers at his store by spending much of yesterday in a canary suit.

Mr Gourley donned the Tweety Pie cartoon character outfit to help a North-East charity - A Celebration Of Life After Cancer.

Founded by Mary Lee, from Yarm, Teesside, after she survived breast cancer, the charity is trying to raise money to stage a fashion show later this year.

The event, at the Tall Trees Hotel, in Yarm, will feature catwalk appearances by cancer patients, and raise money for a group of local charities.

Last year, it raised more than £30,000.

Mr Gourley, who runs the Northallerton branch of Somerfield, was supposed to be dressed as a chicken, but that costume was not available, so he settled for a canary.

"The chicken was double-booked," said Mr Gourley yesterday.

All 15 North-East and North Yorkshire branches of the company are raising money for the charity after a member of staff, Wyn Kenny Bradford, suggested her employees should adopt the charity as this year's worthy cause.

She has fought bowel cancer and, last year, she took part in the Tall Trees event as a model.

"It's wonderful, everybody is getting behind the show," she said.

l Anyone who would like to help with this year's show is asked to contact (01642) 712555.