WE did it! That's the cry from self-confessed chatterboxes Carole Davis and Carole Eyckens after completing a 'marathon' four-hour sponsored silence in aid of the East Lancashire Deaf Society.

The pair, who work at Asda at Grimshaw Retail Park, Blackburn, kept quiet from 8am to noon yesterday (Wednesday) in aid of the charity and Deaf Awareness Week -- and according to Carole Davis it was a lot harder than they thought. She said: "It must be one of the worst mornings I've had. When I could finally open my mouth to speak I went all dizzy, but it was well worth it. We've had comments from people saying we'd never do it, but we managed it. I think we'll leave it until next year before we do it again."

The two Caroles had signs around their necks saying "Good morning" to customers and asking them not to speak to them directly. But as soon as the four hours was up, they were back on form.

Carole Davis, Asda events co-ordinator, said: "We had such a good laugh. I was asked if I wanted to go on reception as soon as we'd finished and I jumped at the chance. I'm talked non-stop for the rest of the day. My colleagues didn't know what had hit them."

Carole Eyckens, Asda's administration supervisor, kept off the shop floor, but managed to cope with colleagues trying to break her willpower.

More than £60 was collected in buckets placed at the tills, with around £200 expected to be raised in total for the society.