AN AUCTION and dinner to raise money for tsunami relief raised £1,291.

The Geordie Aid group, set up to raise funds following the Boxing Day disaster in the Indian Ocean, held the sale at Pepe's Restaurant, at Beamish, County Durham.

Holidays to Florida and Tenerife, hot air balloon flights and a limited edition photograph of Sunderland AFC, were among the donated gifts that went under the hammer at Sunday's auction.

The group plans to use the money to send North-East workers to help rebuild areas affected by the tsunami.

Geordie Aid secretary Gavin Nicholson, from Washington, said the night, including a three-course meal and entertainment, was a huge success.

"It was an excellent night and raised a lot of money. It will go towards sending teams out to the Far East to provide aid to help people assist themselves.

"We are in the fourth month after the disaster but, unfortunately, people in the Far East are still living it.

"It is going to take years of rebuilding and Geordie Aid intends to be there with them until the bitter end."

Geordie Aid received a double windfall thanks to the efforts of Albany Northern League division two club Whickham and fun runners.

The football club handed over £1,000 from a social night at the Glebe Sports Club, Whickham, sponsored by Factory Direct, and £465 came from a sponsored 13-mile run completed by regulars at the Alexandra pub, in North Shields.

Geordie Aid's next fundraiser is a summer ball in either August or September.

For more information on future activities, contact Mr Nicholson, on (07961) 091129.