A granny who dressed as the Easter bunny in aid of a charity that helped her grandson raised more than £1,000.

Irene Brooks, 59, spent two days in rabbit costume outside Sainsbury's in Lewes Road, Brighton, last week to collect money for Scope.

Customers donated £1,007 in sponsorship towards her trek in Venezuela next January.

She said she would like to thank everyone who gave money and the store who allowed her to canvas on their premises.

She said: "One dear old lady and her daughter even brought me a bag full of coppers they had been collecting for some time and were thrilled to find I was still there quite late in the day to receive their contribution."

This year Mrs Brooks, of Withdean Crescent, Brighton, skied down six Colarado mountains in six days, raising £3,500 for the charity.

Her grandson Jabe, who lives in Huntingdon, and his family have been supported by Scope and Whizz Kidz. Jabe has cerebral palsy and will probably never walk.

In Venezuela Mrs Brooks will trek for six days through tropical rainforests, savannah grasslands and up the highest mountain in Canaima National Park.

She is already in training by regularly hiking on the South Downs and in Pembrokeshire and visiting Withdean Stadium Gym.

To support her visit www.justgiving.com/irenebrookstrek.