FRIENDS, colleagues and children across the region raised their mugs to Macmillan Cancer Support to celebrate the charity’s Big Coffee Morning campaign.

From hairdressers, to playschools and Neighbourhood Watch Associations, scores of people got busy baking and brewing to raise money for the cancer charity.

Rosedene Nursery at The Northern Echo Arena in Darlington was among those taking part and their morning was made extra special when players from Mowden Park Rugby Club joined in the fun.

Nursery manager Caroline Jenney said: “It was lovely; we all had a great time.

“The rugby players stayed back and played Play-Doh and dressing up with the children so we had them dressed as firemen and police officers by the end.

“We also took teas out to the men building a new field outside; we got everybody involved and people were really kind with their donations.”

The Big Coffee Morning was a huge success for Macmillan last year, with over £20m raised.

When the campaign first started in 1991, 2,600 people took part but the charity hopes that Friday’s event will surpass the 154,000 people who signed up last year.