BANK customers are giving a much-needed helping hand to a hospice which has become their unofficial pet charity.

A cheque for £1,418.36 was handed to officials of St Cuthbert's Hospice, Durham, by staff from the city branch of the Co-op Bank.

It represents the culmination of collections from the sale of hospice sunflower badges and soft toys to customers visiting the High Street bank.

Bank clients opening Co-op accounts are also invited to nominate St Cuthbert's Hospice as their chosen charity. On opening the account £5 goes to the hospice and a small donation is made every time they spend money using the account credit card.

Branch manager Sue Potter said the sale of Easter bunnies, Christmas teds and other soft toys for the hospice is also very popular among bank users. "They go down very well with the customers. I think it's because St Cuthbert's is such a well-known local charity that they are so willing to help."

Michele Iles, hospice community fundraiser, said the hospice has running costs of £400,000 a year, of which £140,000 is provided by health service funding. "The rest we need to fund raise through our five charity shops and from voluntary donations."