A MURDER mystery night held at a five star hotel has raised more than £8,000 for an autism charity.

The event, at Rockliffe Hall in Hurworth, near Darlington, involved 120 guests trying to work out "who did it" at the fundraising event for Daisy Chain in Stockton.

Guests had a three-course meal while professional actors moved among them as the cast of a theatre company on a national tour performing Phantom of the Opera.

It was up to the guests to question the actors and work out who the murderer was and the motive.

Carolyn Pistellato was the super sleuth who successfully worked out who the killer was and the motive and won a bottle of champagne to celebrate.

Stuart Dexter, chief executive of Daisy Chain, said: £1,000 can fund a Saturday activity day for 50 families and £500 can fund a one-to-one support session for four children with more complex needs so you can see how important these fundraising events are to us. I would like to thank all of our supporters who attended the event, helped us raise this fantastic sum."