Darlington Building Society's marketing team had a complete change from their usual office duties this week, when they helped to wrap the society's millennium corporate Christmas gifts.

Almost 2,000 Christmas Puddings had to be wrapped in cellophane, labelled in a corporate style and boxed in smart, red Darlington Building Society boxes.

The final results was well worth the effort put in by the girls and should be appreciated by the recipients.

Customers of the society's Tubwell Row branch in Darlington will also benefit from a small supply of puddings which are being made available on a first come-first served basis.

Peter Rowley, chief executive of the society, said: "In previous years the society provided corporate calendars to its numerous professional contacts, but last year we decided to try Christmas Puddings instead.

"The reaction was so positive we wanted to offer them again this year.