THERE will be no "monkeying" around from one team at the Macmillan Cancer Relief It's A Knockout competition this weekend.

Because, despite having called themselves the Monkey Bar Kids, staff from the Monk Bar Hotel, in York, will be taking their commitments very seriously.

They are hoping to win the top prize of day passes at Blackpool Pleasure Beach during the charity outdoor competition at York's Knavesmire tomorrow.

June Nelsey, hotel director, said: "My team are always a knockout so we are confident that we will have great fun while raising £1,000 for a very worthwhile cause - it's no joke!"

York Racecourse will stage the third It's A Knockout competition from 11am, and organisers hope to raise £20,000 for the charity, which helps to support people suffering the disease.

The cash will go towards the Macmillan York Appeal, launched last June to raise £400,000 to pay for two new Macmillan nurses and a doctor to serve the York area. Fundraisers have already amassed £325,000.

York group co-ordinator Alex Emsley said: "It's a very messy event for team members, but great fun for spectators to watch. Each year we have raised more than £20,000 and we are hoping to do the same again."

She said: "It's free for spectators to come along and we have book stalls, a huge tombola, as well as children's activities such as a bouncy castle to keep everyone entertained."

The heats take place at 11am, 1pm and 3pm with the grand final at 5pm. York companies including Corus Rail, Shepherd Engineering and Costcutter are taking part.

Updated: 10:46 Saturday, August 02, 2003