SHOPPERS have raised hundreds of pounds for a children’s hospital ward.

The money was raised before Christmas through the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre’s Santa’s Grotto attraction.

Visitors to the Durham City complex were invited to make a donation to the Treetops children’s ward at the University Hospital of North Durham.

The final total has just been announced as £370.

Richard Toynbee, the Prince Bishops centre manager, said: “Our grotto has become a staple part of Christmas in Durham City which thousands of children have enjoyed visiting over the years.

“This year, we wanted to give something back to visitors to the centre and decided to run the grotto for free while at the same time raising some money for a worthy local cause.”

The money will be used to buy new visitor beds for Treetops.

Ward manager Colin Smith said: “We’re very grateful to the amazing people and businesses that fundraise for us and Prince Bishops Shopping Centre is one of them.

“The money donated, thanks to the people who visited Santa’s Grotto, will be put towards providing new beds for parents who need to stay overnight.”