YOUNG people have been working round the clock in the run-up to Christmas to raise money for charity.

So far, they have raised more than £1,250 by making Christmas holly wreaths for three charities - and hope their next sale will boost the total further.

More than 50 youngsters, aged between ten and 17, have been working with the Youth Engagement Service at Durham County Council to make decorations.

All the money raised will go to the Butterwick Hospice, a domestic violence project and a charity which plans to build a school library in a village in Gambia, west Africa.

Mary Mackenzie, a trained florist who works for the service, has co-ordinated the project.

She said: "Young people have been involved in everything from collecting moss, shopping for decorations, wiring flowers and using their creative flair to produce a professional product.

"I have been very impressed with the way they have worked. Some have given up to 100 hours of their own time to ensure the wreaths were ready in time for the Christmas rush."

The next sale takes place in Durham Room, County Hall, Durham City, from 9am to 3pm on Friday, December 16.