THE organisers of a shopping event are hoping 30 years of fundraising will have collected half a million pounds for charity.

The 30th Durham Shopping Extravanza, which took place last week, will be its last.

Co-chair Nicky Swan said: “Although we won’t know the final total raised for a little while, the signs are that we are closing in on half a million pounds raised over the last 30 years, all of which has remained in and around County Durham.

“It is a phenomenal achievement and it will be a great pleasure in the coming weeks to hand over the final donations to the amazing charities that are due to benefit this year.”

She added: “We must say an enormous thank you to our committee, volunteers, St John Ambulance and our stallholders and sponsors, without whom the DSE could not have continued as long as it has. It has been a huge privilege to work with such dedicated people and it means that we are going out on a huge high.”

Proceeds from this year’s event went to Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services (UTASS), the North East Autism Society, Grace House in Sunderland and three branches of PHAB in Durham, Seaham and Stockton and Billingham.

In recognition of her dedication for almost 30 years, stallholder Marguerite Todd, who travels from Cornwall each year, was presented with a gift.