TWO branches of a high street store have raised nearly £4,000 for a charity appeal.

Middlesbrough and Hartlepool Marks and Spencer stores have raised £2,453 and £1,301 respectively for the Breast Cancer Breakthrough Challenge.

In-store activities included sponsored bed-ins and hair shaves, pink dress days and leg waxes.

Nationally, the stores have raised £230,00 for Breakthrough with a further £195,000 collected from the sale of pink ribbons at lingerie points.

Television presenter Gaby Roslin, patron of the Breakthrough £1,000 Challenge, said: "I am overwhelmed with the support Marks & Spencer stores around the country have shown to the Breakthrough campaign and the amount raised through people's hard work and enterprising efforts is something to be extremely proud of."