The Sunderland Dalek who raised money for the Bobby Robson Foundation's fight against cancer at Jacky White’s Market

But a Dalek has helped to raise money for the fight against cancer by fronting a charity event at Jacky White’s Market.

Dalek Bruce was a big attraction at the market at the weekend and, with his human helper Elaine Lawler, collected donations for The Bobby Robson Foundation.

The event was organised by the team at the AndyMan UpCycling stall in the market to celebrate the official opening of the Retro Room at Jacky White’s.

Andy Buddin, who runs AndyMan Upcycling said: “He was very entertaining, singing carols with the ‘earthlings’, telling jokes and high fiving the ‘little people’.

"I asked if Daleks can dance? I got a fairly bad rendition of YMCA as it's difficult to do with a plunger and whisk for limbs!”

As well as browsing the market for Santa suits, Bruce posed for selfies as well and helped to raise £53 for the Bobby Robson Foundation.

Lilian Griffiths, from LG Fashions which is another stall at the market, was delighted with the amount collected for the foundation which she collects for all year round.

Lilian raises money in memory of her brother John Williams. She recently collected £800 from selling donated books at 50p for paperbacks, hardbacks for £1 and DVDs and CDs for £1.

But Lilian always needs more stock and urged anyone having a clearout before Christmas to “pop your books and DVDs into the market”.

Lilian wants jigsaws for Christmas but not for herself. She wants them to sell on for the charity as she gets £3 each for every one she sells.