Staff from a regional daily newspaper are celebrating after raising an incredible £200,000 for the Marie Curie charity.

The Bolton News launched the fundraising drive in partnership with the charity 15 months ago and has now hit its target.

Readers have been encouraged to hold events to raise money for Marie Curie, which needed the money to pay for a year’s care for terminally ill people in Bolton.

And journalists have also raised money themselves by holding collections and sponsored events, with health reporter Cherry Brown doing a sponsored walk dressed as a daffodil – the charity’s symbol.

Editor-in-chief Ian Savage said: “This is a remarkable achievement and everybody in the town can rightly feel very proud of themselves.

“The difference this will make to so many lives cannot be overstated and we at The Bolton News are absolutely delighted to have played our part.

“Once again it shows the important part local newspapers such as ours can play at the heart of their local community.”

Events held by readers to support the charity included sponsored swims, coffee mornings and head shaves.

Jemma Halman, area fundraising manager for Marie Curie, said: “We simply could not have done this without The Bolton News – the paper has been absolutely amazing.

“We don’t think there is a better way to speak to local people than through their very own local paper.

“Not only have staff done their own fundraising, they’ve really got behind the appeal and given us the chance to let people in Bolton know what an amazing job Marie Curie Nurses do and get their support for the campaign.”