CHARITY workers have been touched by the gift of an anonymous donor.

A valuable antique silver tea set was left at the Durham office of Macmillan Cancer Relief. It is hoped the three-piece set will raise a substantial amount of money at the charity's Day of Antiques, at Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, on Sunday, September 15.

"It was a lovely gesture and we would like to thank the donor, whoever they are," said Caroline Peacock, one of the charity's County Durham fundraisers.

The event is part of the charity's long-term goal of raising £600,000 to improve cancer care in County Durham.

The charity launched its appeal after it was disclosed that the county is the only one in England not to have its own dedicated full-time consultant in palliative care. The appeal currently stands at £190,000.

The Day of Antiques event will begin with a roadshow and auction conducted by Peter Robinson and Steven Dewar, of Darlington auctioneers Thomas Watson & Son.

At 5.30pm, furniture restoration expert Patrick Dingwall, of Dingwall and Banks, will give an illustrated talk. Mr Dingwall is one of the UK's leading experts in furniture restoration.

Tickets for the event are sold in two parts. The roadshow and auction costs £8 while the illustrated talk costs £12 (a ticket for both events costs £18). Entrance to the roadshow and auction includes an expert assessment of one item. Each additional item will be charged at a rate of £2.

As all the experts are giving their services free of charge, all the funds raised will go to the appeal.

For further information, call 0191-378 1188.