A NORTH-EAST company played Santa Claus to a local hospice over Christmas.

Teesside Hospice Foundation provides day care for up to 16 people a day, from Mondays to Thursdays, at the Edward Guy Day Centre, in Middlesbrough, and on Fridays at Brotton Hospital, East Cleveland.

Darlington Building Society made a £1,200 donation to enable the foundation to provide a Christmas lunch for all its guests.

Elaine Myers, hospice business development manager, said: "Darlington Building Society has been a supporter of the hospice for a number of years and we are delighted that they are able to help us with this additional donation.

"Christmas lunch is a special meal for day care guests where they can celebrate with friends from the hospice."