IRISH eyes were smiling on a York charity fundraiser today, as she donned a leprechaun suit for St Patrick's Day.

Louise Bamford, of Marie Curie Cancer Care, borrowed the costume from the Festival Of Fun shop in Goodramgate to raise awareness of a charity event later this year - the annual Dublin Dash.

The charity is inviting teams of four to take part in this year's dash, a competition to get to Dublin in 24 hours on a £15 budget.

Teams will set off on September 19, and will be challenged to arrive in Dublin some time the following day.

Last year, team members donned their best fancy dress to complete the challenge, raising thousands of pounds for the charity.

Enterprising teams from across the region are invited to call the Marie Curie Cancer Care team on 01904 621000 with a name and theme. Diane Holmes, fundraising co-ordinator, said: "It's surprising what ideas people come up with.

"It would be a good idea to sit down with a pint of Guinness tonight and think of a good theme.

"Hopefully we can get some good teams to have some fun on the way there - it's all in a good cause."

Meanwhile, bars across York were preparing themselves for some serious Guinness drinking as revellers celebrated the Irish patron saint's day.

An Irish band will be playing live at O'Neill's bar in Low Ousegate tonight. The Edward VII pub in Nunnery Lane is serving cheap Guinness and holding a disco, while The Victoria Vaults in Nunnery Lane is this Saturday playing host to Irish band The Boys Are Back, featuring ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist Barry James and all-Ireland electric fiddle champion Andy Dynan.

Updated: 10:29 Wednesday, March 17, 2004