TRADERS are preparing to push a hospital bed through Bishop Auckland to raise money for charity.

The sponsored bed push along the town's Newgate Street is just one of the events being planned by Shildon Chamber of Trade this weekend to raise money for Children in Need.

Last night, a party atmosphere was created at the Jubilee Fields Centre, Shildon, as members of the Chamber of Trade and residents indulged in an evening of fun activities.

Today, some of the chamber members will be wearing fancy dress as they meet in the Morrison's supermarket car park in Bishop Auckland, at 1pm, to push a bed borrowed from the town's hospital to the market place.

They will take collection tins around the pubs in Shildon tonight in an effort to raise more cash.

Chairman of the chamber of trade, Brian Stoker, said: "This is the third year we have done something for Children in Need. We support it because the money raised in the North-East goes to the children in the North-East.''

He said that the chamber was hoping to match last year's final fundraising total, which was about £3,000