STAFF at a North-East call centre are taking part in Comic Relief next week.

Over 100 npower employees will be volunteering their time to man 70 dedicated phone lines, taking donations throughout the entire live event.

Red Nose Day will be returning to television screens, on Friday, March 24.

Employees at npower Rainton Bridge, near Houghton-le-Spring, have been joining in the fundraising themselves, with cake sales, themed photo-booths and comedy quizzes.

Last year, they took over 1,200 calls from generous members of the public who wanted to donate to Comic Relief’s partner appeal, Sport Relief.

Spokesman Chris Thewlis said: “I am enormously pleased that our office in Houghton-le-Spring will be supporting Comic Relief for another year.

“I know all the npower volunteers, even after a full day on the phones, are both proud and excited to be involved.

“We’re expecting busy phone lines and I know that our teams are planning to show their commitment with a whole lot of fun activities planned throughout the evening.”