THE milk of human kindness flowed over when a North-East company stepped in to help a hospital's special baby unit.

ACC Milk, which is based in Blaydon, Tyneside, donated £500 to the Special Baby Care Unit at the University Hospital of North Durham.

The milk supplier handed over the money after promising to match the amount raised by a group of cyclists who took part in the Coast-to-Coast Cycle Ride.

The cyclists took three days to complete the 145-mile route and secured £500 from sponsors, bringing the total to £1,000.

Organiser David Hocking said: "This was the first time the group had attempted the Coast- to-Coast Cycle Ride, and at times it was quite demanding. But we all pulled together and finished the journey in high spirits. The support we have received from friends, family and ACC Milk has enabled us to raise a considerable amount and we hope that the money will go a long way to buy new equipment."

The unit cares for about ten babies, many of them born prematurely.