CHARITY champion Peter Beaty is stepping down after ten years as chairman of Help the Aged's Durham and Wearside fundraising committee.

The 72-year-old is to concentrate his efforts in Newton Aycliffe and the surrounding area.

Mr Beaty, who was chairman of the North-East branch of the National Grocers' Benevolent Fund for 25 years, reckons to have raised more than £1m for charity during the past 60 years.

He said: "I've really enjoyed it. I'm into fundraising in a big way. I've done it since I was 14 when I held my first jumble sale.

"I am 72 years of age and I should have been well into retirement by now, but I hav probably been working harder in the past seven years since I retired than when I was working and getting paid for it.

"Apart from that, there are a lot of pressures in organising things. I am a diabetic and diabetics should not have stress, but I've had an awful lot of stress recently so I have decided to call it a day."

Mr Beaty is to continue working for Help the Aged in his home town of Newton Aycliffe.

As well as fundraising, he will be organising parties, coffee mornings, bingo and other activities for senior citizens.