GENEROUS students have handed out a record total of more than £100,000 to good causes.

Students at Durham University have presented cheques to more than 200 local organisations, distributing money raised during a year-long fundraising campaign.

Over the last year, Duck, the Durham Universities Charities Kommittee, has staged fundraising stunts and sponsored events which have brought in £108,000.

As well as smaller donations to local play groups and community centres, the students have handed over more than £28,000 to the Save The Children Fund, more than £7,000 to Barnado's, £1,500 to St Cuthbert's Hospice in Durham, and £1,000 each to Victim Support County Durham and Durham Young People's Centre.

The university's new chancellor, author Bill Bryson, has accepted an invitation to be a patron of Duck, along with former Durham cricketer Ian Botham and the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Tom Wright .