The launch of a book written by the editor of The Northern Echo has raised nearly £3,000 for a children's hospice.

Dad At Large 2 - To Vasectomy And Beyond is a collection of anecdotes from Peter Barron's regular column in the North-East's regional morning paper.

More than 150 people paid £15 a head for the launch of the book at 'AnEvening With Dad At Large' near Darlington.

They enjoyed a three-course meal and an after-dinner talk by Peter.

There was also a raffle and a fun auction, with the star prize being afree vasectomy at a private clinic in Hartlepool!

The vasectomy - possibly the most unusual prize given away in thehistory of The Northern Echo - was won by former Northern Echo assistanteditor Tony Metcalf, whose wife Lesley bid £45 - a real 'snip'.

It was to the immense relief of The Northern Echo's new commercialdirector Ian Clarke, whose wife Jenny left him speechless by startingthe bidding…

The book - a follow-up to the first Dad At Large book, which sold 3,000 copies - is £5, with £1 going to the Butterwick Children's Hospicefor every copy sold.

The Northern Echo helped establish the hospice three years ago with anappeal which raised £500,000.

Dad At Large 2 has just hit the top of the best-sellers list at Ottakars book shop in The Cornmill Centre in Darlington and is also availablethrough Northern Echo offices.

All fees from a 'Dad At Large' public speaking tour by Peter throughoutthe North-East and North Yorkshire will also go to the children's hospice.

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