THE chairman of the North-East branch of the National Grocers Benevolent Fund is stepping down after quarter of a century.

Peter Beaty, from Newton Aycliffe, in County Durham, has been working hard to raise money to top up the pensions of ex-greengrocers and employees for the past 25 years.

The charity raises money for anyone who used to be in the greengrocery trade and who has retired on the minimum state pension with no extras.

Beneficiaries are paid an extra £10 a week and get a Christmas hamper worth £50 each year.

The North-East region has 68 beneficiaries and there are more than 3,000 nationally.

Over the years Peter has staged fundraising events, including bringing the Orient Express to Newcastle and arranging an event with Concorde at Newcastle Airport.

Tickets are still available for this year's Valentine's Ball on Saturday, February 17, at the Gosforth Marriott Hotel.

Tickets cost £25 each, which includes a four-course meal, followed by dancing to the Ian Lawrence Band, a disco and table magician. Companies can block book a table.

For more information, or to buy a ticket, contact Peter Beaty on (01325) 313924. It will be Peter's last duty before successor Paul Lewney, sales director of Kavli Ltd, takes over as chairman