A FERRY operator will use a festival to give away prizes and promote its adopted charity.

DFDS Seaways, the North Sea's leading cruise ferry operator, will encourage visitors to North Tyneside's Window on the World (Wow) festival to make donations to Children North-East in return for having children's faces painted.

Visitors to the DFDS Seaways marquee can find out about a range of city breaks, touring and cottage holidays to Scandinavia and Northern Europe, and trips to Floriade - Holland's largest horticultural event.

Over the three-day festival, from Saturday to Monday, DFDS will also be inviting people to enter a free competition to win one of 20 Mini CruiseBreaks to Amsterdam, including en-suite accommodation, live entertainment and a day in the city.

Balloons containing vouchers for Mini CruiseBreaks will be released at 6pm each day.