AN election candidate left the campaign trail to spend a day as a voluntary worker.
North Durham's Labour Party candidate Kevan Jones served breakfast, helped recycle furniture, worked for Marie Curie Cancer Care, and brewed tea for patients at Chester-le-Street General Hospital.
The VIP Volunteering Challenge was dreamed up by staff at Chester-le-Street Volunteer Bureau, who wanted to do their bit for National Volunteers Week.
They invited all local candidates to take part, including Tory candidate Matthew Palmer and Liberal Democrat Carole Field, but Mr Jones was the only one to sign up.
After ferrying pensioners to and from their club with Chester-le-Street and District Voluntary Welfare Committee, he explained why he took up the challenge.
"These organisations work very hard and are always on the lookout for volunteers," he said.
Organisations involved in the day included Life Long Learning, Chester-le-Street Furniture and Fabrics, Go Out And Live, and the WRVS.
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