STAFF at an east Durham call centre said a resounding Pants to Poverty when they raised £5,165 for Comic Relief.

Employees at the Orange Communications Centre, in Peterlee, joined in activities from space hopper races and Weakest Link competitions to doughnut eating and Malteser munching.

A sponsored head shave and leg wax saw more money rolling in, as did a cycle marathon from Plymouth to North Tyneside - calling in at every Orange centre on the way - but never leaving the staff canteen, thanks to a row of static exercise bikes.

Half the money raised will be donated to the main Comic Relief effort and the rest will help its work through local charities.

Head of the centre Neil Miles said: "As always, Orange staff have shown their usual enthusiasm and commitment in raising money for charity."