A CHARITY tennis championship takes place in Durham City this weekend.

Six teams of young tennis players, aged from eight to 12, will take part in the event on Sunday to raise money for the Mayor of Durham's Appeal.

The two-hour challenge takes place at Durham Archery Club, starting at 10.30am.

Money raised will go to the Treetops Ward of the University of Durham Hospital to buy the latest portable monitoring equipment for critically-ill children.

Joanna Lawson, daughter of Durham Mayor Councillor John Lightley, is organising the event, which will also be attended by the mayor's four grandchildren.

Joanna said: "The whole family really wanted to get involved in this event to raise money for the Treetops unit.

"We hope the morning will be a lot of fun for everyone taking part and is just a really good, positive way to get young people of all ages and abilities involved in a sport."