TV celebrities Denise Robertson and Kirsten O'Brien have joined forces to launch a charity fundraising campaign.

The pair were promoting the Daffodil Campaign, run by the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity.

Agony aunt Robertson was at the National Glass Centre, in Sunderland, to launch the £2m campaign for County Durham and Tyne and Wear, while broadcaster O'Brien backed the campaign for Teesside and North Yorkshire.

The week-long campaign culminates on March 8, when thousands are expected to buy a daffodil to raise money.

O'Brien, who was born in Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, lost her mother to cancer four years ago and was only too happy to help.

"We had Marie Cure nurses who came and stayed overnight with mum, and they were amazing," she said.

"They would sit right through the night so my family could have some rest and get their strength back to start the day again.

"They give you the respite you need, so when the said would you get involved, I jumped at the chance. The daffodil campaign is simplistic, because all you have to do is give some money and wear a daffodil, and then you have helped and made a difference to make someone's life more bearable."

Last week, O'Brien donated nearly £15,000 to the Teesside Hospice after winning the cash on a celebrity edition of The Weakest Link, beating off competition from Johnny Ball, Philip Schofield, Floella Benjamin, Timmy Mallet and Roland Rat.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact 0191-382 3311 in County Durham and Tyne and Wear, or (01904) 621000 in North Yorkshire and Teesside.