HUNDREDS of children at a County Durham school are taking part in cross-country runs for charity.

Barnard Castle School's Barney Bash cross-country event is raising money for the Butterwick Hospice this year.

All 500 students at the school are taking part in heats along a two-and-a-half-mile course around the school grounds and along the River Tees.

Each runner has contributed £2 for charity. Some have donated much more.

The best runners are selected to compete in the annual Barnard Run on the last day of term on February 4.

School chaplain Stephen Ridley said the school had decided to make the Barney Bash a charitable event to give it more purpose.

He said: "It is an important year for the Butterwick Hospice and we were looking to help a local charity which had a children and adult connection.

"The charity has just established an outreach centre at the Richardson Hospital in Barnard Castle and was looking for long-term sponsorship. We have committed to supporting it for the next seven years."

The runners compete for the Butterwick Cup.