COCKERTON Community and Business Group has been set up to so companies and residents can share ideas and hold events to benefit the local area.

The first event is a Christmas market in Cockerton on Friday, December 16.

Jayne Tomlinson, chairman of the group and manager of Darlington Building Society, said: “All funds from this event will be going back into the community group for future events.

“This includes getting a Christmas tree within Cockerton next year. Everything we’re doing is to benefit the area.”

Members of the new group include Darlington Building Society, Rowland’s Pharmacy, W.Alderson & Son, Co-Op Funeral Care, Co-Op Food group, Nail It, Whitehouse Funeral Service, Sense of Style and Cockerton Green Scouts.

The Christmas market will take place between 4pm-7pm and visitors will have the opportunity to take part in a reindeer hunt, and take a ‘selfie’ with Santa in a St Teresa’s Hospice shop.

The Silver Band will be performing while there will be hot food and drink.

The Cockerton Co-Op store is featuring a second hand bookshop for the evening.

To find out more about future events and plan go to www.facebook.com/CockertonCommunityandBusinessGroup