STAFF at a Consett building society have helped to raise £165,000 for cancer research.

Britannia Building Society employees chose Cancer Research UK as their corporate charity and initially intended to raise £100,000.

But the 188-branch network went all out, with dress-down days, competitions, raffles and tombolas.

Gayle Waistell, branch manager at Consett, said: "This is an amazing achievement and our most successful corporate charity campaign to date.

"The enthusiasm from staff has been absolutely brilliant. They chose overwhelmingly to adopt Cancer Research UK and we're really proud of their efforts over the whole year."

The campaign kicked off in March last year when £15,000 was raised from the society's pledge to donate 10p for every vote at the annual meeting.

Since there have been parachute jumps, Great North Run sponsorship, coffee and cake mornings and a virtual bike ride.