ENERGETIC staff from a village nursery stepped out in aid of the national Children In Need appeal at the weekend.

Ten staff from Smallworld Nursery, in Staindrop, dressed up as characters from popular children's stories to take part in a sponsored walk on Saturday.

The team walked from County Bridge, in Barnard Castle, to Stainton Grove and back twice to complete their ten mile challenge.

While parading through the town in costumes such as Donald and Daisy Duck, loaned to them for free by local fancy dress company In Disguise, they collected donations in buckets.

Walk organiser Clare Holmes said: "Parents and children supported us with sponsorship and the reaction during the walk was great, people were very kind and we enjoyed it.

"Two parents, Fiona and Mike Venus, who have an antique shop in Barnard Castle, gave us soup and coffee which was a nice break during the walk.

"We hope to collect the money by Friday for the main Children In Need event. It is an important charity to support."