RUNNERS from a County Durham school have raised more than £4,000 for a local charity.

Students from Barnard Castle School were able to donate £4,250 to Butterwick Hospice after their annual cross-county run.

Each of the school's 500 pupils took part in the Barney Bash qualifying event, with the fastest half going through to the historic Barnard Run.

Fundraiser Sylvia Stoneham, who received the cheque on behalf of the hospice, said: "An amount like this makes a massive difference to the hospice."

Teacher Charles Alderson said: "Running for charity has given the event new meaning and really spurs on the competitors. It is good to raise pupils' awareness and to promote an ethos of giving."