CALL centre staff from the region will man the phones for BBC Children in Need for a fourth year running.

npower’s Rainton office, at Houghton-le-Spring– along with Hull and Worcester– will be an official call centre for this year’s fundraiser.

Staff at the site have been busy fundraising by selling Children in Need merchandise and raffle tickets to raise even more money for the charity ahead of the appeal night show.

About 100 Rainton employees have volunteered their time to man dedicated phone lines, taking donations throughout the entire live BBC broadcast from 7pm on Friday night until the early hours on Saturday.

Kelly Swinney, event organiser and delivery manager at npower, said: “It’s been fantastic coordinating the Children in Need event and we’re so proud to be an official call centre on appeal night in Rainton for the last three years running. Our volunteers are raring to take calls and raise as much as possible for such a great cause, with some even working a normal 9 to 5 day before hitting the phone lines. We’re expecting a very busy but a fantastic evening of fun and games - we have a group of singers getting together to form our very own Spice Girls, along with our famous person themed fancy dress and lip sync battle, it’s certainly going to be a night to remember."