HAIRDRESSERS in a Bishop Auckland salon became scare-dressers for the day as they dressed up in spooky costumes to raise money for charity.

Staff at Hair Haus on Newgate Street donned an array of frightening outfits in aid of the Royal National Institute for the Blind on Saturday.

All 14 staff on duty wore the fancy dress, and raised £180 in total. Last month they raised £900 for the same charity with a sponsored abseil down the Baltic in Newcastle and also raised money for the charity last year.

Owner Mark McHale - dressed as Count Dracula - said: "We've worked with them before and we raised money for them last year. It's a good charity and a good cause.

"Some of the little ones were petrified, but the customers are having a good laugh about it."

Visitors to the salon were invited to put money in a collection tray while Halloween sweets and lollipops were handed out.

The generosity of customers means the salon has raised more than £1,000 for the RNIB this month, and Mr McHale said: "It is absolutely fantastic. I was amazed at how much was raised in such a short space of time and we're very grateful to everyone who helped."