A RECORD number of visitors to an annual gala day in Teesdale raised thousands of pounds for two hospitals.

The Glaxo Wellcome Sports and Gala day, at the company's Barnard Castle site, raised £2,500 for the children's wards at Darlington Memorial Hospital and Bishop Auckland General Hospital.

Hundreds of staff, retired staff and their families and friends took part in a variety of events, including an all-day barbecue, a bungee run and a tug-of-war competition.

And the main attraction for youngsters was a mountain bike stunt display by expert Jez Avery, who invited dozens of children to take part in the routines.

Communications assistant for Glaxo Wellcome's Barnard Castle site, Hazel Ipsen, said the day had been a huge success