PARENTS are using their dancing feet and pedal power to raise money for a school expansion.

St Chad's RC Primary School hopes to build a £17,000 extension to the building in Witton Park, near Bishop Auckland, to accommodate the ever growing number of children at the school.

Continuous fundraising and a 15 per cent contribution from the Department of Education has allowed the school to save £13,000, but parent David Wallis hopes his 60-mile bike ride will edge the fund nearer its target.

The Merchant Navy captain will cycle from Wearhead, in the heart of Weardale, to Sunderland, stopping off at post offices along the way to get an envelope stamped and prove he has cycled the distance.

Mr Wallis, who said he chose the route because it was more or less downhill all the way, said: "I've never done anything like this before, it may be the last. Hopefully I'll make it in a day."

The school hopes it will not have to wait too long to reach the total. Another parent has started line dancing classes to raise money, and a coin collection has been started by worshippers at St Paulinus Church, West Auckland.