TWO local charities have benefited from a fundraising social evening held by Darlington Freemasons.

The St Cuthbert's Masonic Lodge, in Darlington, raised £600 for the Samaritans and Grange Road Action for Youth (Grafy).

The Samaritans will receive half of the proceeds because they are helping to deal with ongoing problems in the community caused by the foot-and- mouth epidemic.

The other recipient, Grafy, is a youth club which provides teenagers with a meeting place and gives them advice on how to become more responsible citizens.