STAFF at a travel agents cast aside their uniforms and slipped into something a little more comfortable yesterday.

Employees at Travelcare, in Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, held a pyjama party, donning their nightwear and slippers.

But it was not merely a novel way of getting their customers into a relaxed state of mind for their holidays. The staff were raising money for Shelter's Million Children campaign, which aims to put a stop to bad housing for more than one million children in the UK.

Branch manager Nicola O'Hara said: "There's a serious message behind the fun - more than one million children live in bad housing in the UK that robs them of their health, a decent education and a fair chance in life.

"Everyone who came in was asked to make a donation and we handed out sponsor forms to family and friends.

"It's been good fun although we have had quite a few strange looks, but some customers don't seem to notice and carry on as normal."

Shelter director Adam Sampson said: "We're thrilled that Travelcare has chosen to support Shelter. The money raised will go straight into the local community and will make a real difference to vulnerable children."