TWO business partners marked their departure from a village pub by raising money for the tsunami disaster appeal.

Bev Hayman and Brenda Whear have left the Fox and Hounds, in Neasham, near Darlington, after seven years.

Their leaving party was turned into a karaoke night that raised £314.

Ms Hayman said: "We wanted it to be something special and to raise money for a good cause at the same time."

The pair bought The Blacksmiths Arms, at Preston-le-Skerne, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, a year ago, and will concentrate on developing it.