TWO Darlington women are in the running for a national award after helping to raise more than £10,000 for their children's primary school.

Mrs Carolyn Goodfellow and Mrs Julie Walker, have been nominated for the Webb Ivory national fundraiser of the year awards by the head of Reid Street school, Mrs Anne Ferguson.

The pair are among 50 nominees who will attend a ceremony at the Midland hotel in Manchester tomorrow, hosted by actress Liz Dawn, Coronation Street's Vera Duckworth.

Along with fellow committee members Mrs Paula Craggs and Mrs Bernie Ripley, their efforts resulted in the opening of a new well-stocked library at Reid Street last year.

They raised most of the cash by selling Christmas cards from Webb Ivory's catalogues and passing on all the commission to the school.

Mrs Goodfellow admitted they were taken completely by surprise by the nomination for the awards, which carry a cash prize for the five winners.

She said: "It was a total surprise; we didn't even know there was a scheme like this run by the company. It's nice to know that someone has taken the time and trouble to actually put it down in writing and nominate us."

"We are not expecting to win an award and if we do it will be a bonus," said Mrs Goodfellow. "It's enough that we are actually going to go away and stay in a really nice hotel and be pampered."

Mrs Walker added that the event had caused great excitement her household: "My son, Stuart, is a big fan of Coronation Street and he is desperate for us to come home with Vera Duckworth's autograph," she said.

Head teacher Mrs Ferguson said of the committee: "They have taken the bull by the horns and entered into the spirit of fundraising with a commitment and enthusiasm which has to be seen to be believed."

And in her letter nominating Mrs Goodfellow and Mrs Walker she wrote: "Without the drive and determination of Carolyn and Julie, our school would be a poorer place, not only materially but would lack the buzz and collective force that these two ladies generate among the rest of the parents.