A CHILDREN'S hospice has benefited from an annual poker tournament.

Grosvenor Casino Stockton has raised £6,534.94 at its annual John Law memorial tournament for local children’s charity Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, which looks after seriously ill children.

The casino hosted 100 players at last week's event, with local resident and regular customer, Nathan Farnaby, taking home the coveted first place.

Now in its third year, the tournament was originally founded as an ode to local takeaway owner and first-class poker player, Cheung Tai ‘John’ Law, who ran the popular Sun Lok Curry House in North Ormesby.

Garry Oldfield, the Stockton casino's general manager, said: "We are delighted to have raised so much money for this worthwhile cause, beating our 2016 total by more than £1,000.

"Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice is a charity that is close to the hearts of the local community, which we have supported for four years alongside Grosvenor’s partner charity, Carer’s Trust."