GENEROUS shoppers helped make a charity fundraising event a success at the weekend.

Firefighters from Blue Watch, in Durham, joined retained firefighters for a sponsored car wash in aid of the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund.

The 14-strong team scrubbed and shined 108 cars in four hours on Saturday, in Tesco's supermarket car park in Dragon Lane, Dragonville, near Durham.

Dave Harkin, brigade secretary, said: "It rained a few times, so we got out of having to dry them. It was a good day."

He said the charity's fundraiser, Gail Antcliffe, was only supposed to visit for ten minutes and ended up staying all day.

The event raised £530 in aid of the benevolent fund, which supports injured and retired firefighters and their families.

Mr Harkin said: "We were really surprised by the generosity of Tesco shoppers.

"Some of them were handing over ten pound notes at a time.

"Tesco's were very supportive and have said they would be happy to accommodate us if we want to run it again."