FOOTBALL boss Brian Honour impressed shoppers with his skills to raise money for charity.

Bishop Auckland manager Mr Honour managed a total of 2,000 in the Keepy-Up challenge in the town's Newgate Centre, on Saturday.

He was joined by footballers and directors at the club in his bid to raise money for the football team and The Butterwick Hospice. As well as the sponsored event, both the hospice and the club had stalls in the centre.

Bishop Auckland Football Club chairman Terry Jackson said: "The whole idea was to find something that could help both the club and the Butterwick Hospice.

"Saturday was fantastic, a great little event. It is part of the club's strategy of working in the community. We are hoping to have raised about £1,500."

Sylvia Stoneham, from the hospice, said that shoppers had been generous in their support and thanked the football club for its efforts.

She said: "Hopefully, this is start of a long partnership with the football club and I am really pleased that it is working so far.

"The club has been fantastic and it was an excellent day."

Mr Honour had three attempts at his challenge. At first, he reached 800, followed by the winning 2,000 then completed 1,400 on his final attempt.

Mr Jackson said: "He did a fantastic job. It must take a remarkable amount of concentration to do that well."