PRISONERS and staff at a North-East young offenders institution (YOI) joined together to raise more than £400 for Comic Relief.

But rather than doing something funny for money, they organised an inter-wing rowing competition.

The event took place at Deerbolt YOI, near Barnard Castle, after the inmates, aged 18-21, suggested raising money for Comic Relief at a prisoner consultative meeting.

Prisoners and wardens in all eight wings – each housing 60 inmates – took part, clocking up a total of almost 500km in 11 hours on the gym rowing machine.

The winners were from F Wing, and they received a plaque from governor Gabrielle Lee. In all, the row raised £426.50.

The event is now to become an annual challenge among the wings at Deerbolt, but Mrs Lee said she hoped none of those on F Wing who won the inaugural competition would be at the institution to defend their title next year.

“This shows how the prisoners have been making a contribution to people less fortunate than themselves and is an important part of the citizenship work we do at Deerbolt.

“More than £300 of the money raised came from the prisoners, whicb is an excellent amount considering they earn less than £10 a week,” she added.