DRINKERS are backing a school's efforts to raise money to build a playground.

Cestria Primary School, in Chester-le-Street, needs to raise £15,000 for the project.

Landlady Irene Boyers, who runs the town's Black Horse and Market Tavern pubs, has enlisted her regulars to help the fund-raising drive.

This will involve 12-hour sponsored pool and dance marathons, a scooter riding event, and a sponsored silence on a Friday night.

Mrs Boyers, who has a grandson at the school, said the school had an old-fashioned playground and wanted to create an area with play equipment and nature section, which pupils had helped design.

She said: "About 100 Whitbread pubs across the country are taking part in a charity challenge during March in which they hope to raise a total of £100,000 for local charities.

"We'll be holding a 12-hour pool-athon and dance-athon at the Black Horse.

"Customers from the Market Tavern will be riding scooters around the Market Place, and there will be a sponsored silence.''

The events will be held this weekend and next, and will involve a total of about 60 people. Mrs Boyers said: "The regulars and staff at both pubs have been very supportive of charity events over the years.

"We are hoping to raise about £2,000 and hopefully that will help them on their way. The parent teacher association has already raised £4,000.'