A SPECIAL care baby unit is hoping to give newborns the benefit of the latest technology.

Bishop Auckland Special Care Baby Unit wants to replace all ten of its ageing cots, which will cost about £4,500.

Despite the cost, hospital staff are confident that they will reach the target, thanks to generous local people.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said: "The top and bottom of it is we just need new cots.

"We decided that all the money donated to the ward from now on will go towards the new cots. We're already well on our way.

"People in this area are marvellous. I've no doubt we're going to reach our target.

"We'll be able to pick some cots that are more appropriate."

Already the hospital has had two four-figure donations, courtesy of fundraisers.

Workers at the 3M factory, in Newton Aycliffe, have raised £500 by staging health and safety quizzes.

Occupational health nurse Pat Hardy said: "Our quiz is a way of making people aware of health and safety at work, but the end result is a local charity gets some money."