IT was handbags at the ready at a charity auction that saw designer gear go under the hammer for bargain prices.

The auction attracted around 200 bargain-seekers to the Hall Garth Hotel in Darlington on Friday night and raised £1,850 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

All bags had a starting price of £1, with the most expensive fetching a £60 bid.

The event marked the fifth annual handbag auction organised by fundraiser Carrie Wilson who said it has grown in popularity year on year.

“It went really well,” she said.

“It is a brilliant atmosphere and just something a bit different.

“We had 1,700 handbags donated, we put the word out and they just came flooding in!

“It is definitely growing and we are hoping that it will become a well recognised annual event into the future.”

Only the best bags were auctioned on the night, with the second choices being sold for just £1 on stalls set up for the evening.

Any remaining bags were then donated to Age UK Darlington.