VETERAN North-East comedian Bobby Knoxall and his team of entertainers are hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for the family of Dean Pike.

Dean, 11, died in a blaze at his home in Mordey Close, Deerness Park, Hendon, Sunderland, in June.

His pregnant mother, Janine Dodd, 29, had to jump from a first-floor window to escape the fire. She suffered serious injuries.

Mr Knoxall, a former barrow boy from Sunderland's East End, said: "We want to show everyone just how much we care by putting on this great show to help Dean's family.

"And I would ask anyone in the area who could donate prizes to a raffle to show they care, too."

He will be bringing his Chuckles for Charity team to the Ivy Leaf Social Club, in Suffolk Street, Sunderland on Wednesday, October 26.

The entertainers, who all live in Hendon, are singers Sonia and Kelly Wharton and Stevie Levell and guitarist Bobby Carlisle.

Mr Carlisle said: "The beauty of this show is that all these talented people are very much home-grown entertainers who all want to do something for Dean's family."

The event will be compered by another comedian, Tony Stewart.

Tickets for the show are £3 and are available at the club or on the door on the night.

All proceeds will go to the Dean's family or to a charity nominated by them.

* Two men have been charged with the murder of Dean Pike and the attempted murder of his mother and are due to stand trial.