A FAMILY bakery has given a children's charity a boost. Durham-based Peters Bakery has donated £20,000 towards the administration costs of Century FM's 21st Century Kids, which was formed in May to raise money to help the North-East's disadvantaged youngsters.

As well as the donation, the company will put collection tins in its 71 shops as part of a year-long sponsorship deal.

Managing director Richard Knowles said: "We are delighted to be able to help with the appeal, and fully support the aims of raising funds to sponsor local worthy causes.

"We are very much a community-based business, and the sponsorship enables us to give back to the community a little bit of the tremendous support and loyalty we have received over the last year."

Earlier this year, the company's bakery in Dragonville, Durham, was destroyed in a fire.

It is operating from a temporary plant in Peterlee, County Durham, until the headquarters is rebuilt.

Mr Knowles said: "Without the support of the North-East people, we could not have carried on after the fire, never mind coming back stronger than ever."

Catriona Bryden, the charity's manager, said it would distribute funds to North-East charities and voluntary organisations such as youth clubs and breakfast clubs.

She added that the firm's backing would help raise the charity's profile across the region.

The £3.5m project is due to start early next month and should be complete by July.