A DIGGER firm has come to the aid of a charity event that raises thousands of pounds for good causes.

The Grand Durham Duck Race could have been left high and dry after the firm due to supply JCBs to drop 20,000 rubber ducks into the River Wear on Sunday, November 6, had to pull out.

But an appeal from the Durham City Forum in The Northern Echo has prompted an offer of the use of a machine from Ward Brothers Plant Hire, on the Littleburn Industrial Estate, Langley Moor.

"One of the guys here was having his morning cup of tea while catching up with the day's news when he saw the story. We had a quick think and, after hearing about all the good causes it goes towards, we were more than happy to help out,'' said Stewart Ward, one of the owners of the business.

Forum chairman Richard Toynbee said: "We were certainly starting to panic, as we thought we'd have to chuck every duck in one by one, so we're especially thankful to Stewart Ward."

The race will support WaterAid, the Durham Mayor's Appeal for the Treetops Children's Unit at the city's University Hospital and The Gala Stage School, St Cuthbert's Hospice Key Appeal and the Durham Christmas Lights Appeal.

Ducks are still available for £1 from the Durham tourist information centre, Millennium Place, Claypath, or by telephone texting the word duck to 60999.