PEOPLE living in a residential home have thanked the community that helped raise money for specialist equipment.

Fundraisers in Crook raised £950 with a Christmas raffle in the Co-op store to buy a weighing machine for residents at the town's Leonard Cheshire Home.

The equipment means that people in wheelchairs can stay in their chair and be wheeled on to the device to be weighed.

The money was raised by the Cheshire Home Support Group, which hosts several events each year in aid of the home.

Activities co-ordinator Phillip Greenup said the residents were extremely grateful for the fundraising efforts made.

He said: "It is an invaluable piece of machinery and we couldn't have managed to buy it without the support group.''

Joe McCabe, from the support group, said he wanted to show the community of Crook that their money had been put to good use.

He said: "I would like to say thank you to the people of Crook for supporting the Leonard Cheshire home and the work that we do.''

But with only five people in the support group, Mr McCabe has appealled for more volunteers to come forward.

He said: "I am the only one who is retired. The rest of the group work so it would be nice to get some extra help.''

Anyone who can help is asked to register their interest at the home, which is near the Co-op store, in Crook.