A MANUFACTURING company is hoping to raise £5,500 to support two Darlington charities this year.

Shower manufacturer Roman has selected Darlington's St Teresa's Hospice, along with the Darlington branch of Samaritans, to raise funds for.

The company will be organising events for staff and friends to get involved in, including an Estee Lauder cosmetics evening, a cricket match and family fun day, a social evening and a five-a-side football tournament.

Over the past three years, the Newton Aycliffe company has supported several charities, including the tsunami appeal, Cancer Research UK and Cancer Bacup.

They have raised an average of £5,500 a year, and are hoping to raise similar funds this time.

Loraine Gamblin, Roman's marketing director, said: "Roman is now such a recognised company in the area and we realise that it is important for us to give something back and, in particular, to support our local community.

"That is why we decided it was time to focus our fund-raising efforts on local charities. St Teresa's Hospice and Darlington Samaritans are both extremely worthwhile causes, which truly offer help and support to our local community.

"Everybody at Roman is certainly very excited about the fundraising events planned for this year.

"As well as raising funds for tremendous causes, charity events are also an excellent opportunity for everybody to get to know one another a little better and bond as a team."