A SERVICE held to remember lost loved ones during the festive period raised more than £200 for charity.

The Co-operative Funeralcare helped to host a memorial carol service at St Cuthbert's Church, in Darlington, on Tuesday, December 10.

A collection during the service raised £251.60 for The Wishing Well (Gateway) Club, at Newton Aycliffe, which provides leisure opportunities for people with learning difficulties.

BIN BLAZE: A fire crew from Barnard Castle attended a property in Cotherstone to extinguish a fire in two wheelie bins just before lunchtime today (Thursday, December 26).

BREAKFAST VIP: On the last day of term, 145 children at Chilton Primary School, had breakfast with Santa when he found time to drop in before Christmas. A school spokesperson said: "It's the first time we have done this event and we would like to thank the staff who got out of their beds extra early to make this a huge success.”

AAP MEETING: The next Spennymoor Area Action Partnership board meeting will at Whitworth Park School and Sixth Form College, Spennymoor, on Thursday, January 16, 6pm to 8pm, doors will open at 5.30pm for light refreshments. To attend or raise any issue contact Lynn Cummings on 03000-261134 by Friday, January 10.

EXTRA GIFTS: Before setting off to deliver presents around the world, Father Christmas visited Gainford, in Teesdale, on Christmas Eve to hand out selection boxes to children under 12. He started at the Cross Keys pub, as patrons’ donations paid for the sweets, before touring the rest of the village on a sleigh.