A SHOPPING event has raised almost £30,000 for charity.

The 24th Durham Shopping Extravaganza was held in Wynyard Park House, near Stockton, over two days in October, with more than 70 stalls featured.

Organisers say it raised a record figure of more than £21,000, which will rise to almost £30,000 due to support from the County Durham Community Foundation.

Three charities have each been given £6,000 from the total: Willowburn Hospice, in Lanchester, County Durham; Fishing With Tom, a charity which works with children with social or anger issues; and Todys, which provides activity days and breaks for families with disabled children.

Former Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson, who opened the extravaganza, returned to her native North-East to present the cheques.

Next year’s Durham Shopping Extravaganza will be held again at Wynyard Park House, on October 9 and 10.