AN annual charity football event in memory of a North-East woman who died of cancer has raised nore than £50,000 since it started.

The Mary Hayton Charity Football Tournament was held at Sacriston Football Club, in Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, on Saturday.

Now in its 12th year, the money raised this time was a total of £5,691 from people in Sacriston and Langley Park.

It is in memory of Mary Hayton, an NHS manager from Sacriston, who died of pancreatic cancer in June 2003, aged 42.

The day is organised by her family and friends and in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Eileen Jones, her sister and the event organiser, said: “There was at least 200 people turned out and supported us.

“This charity event gets stronger each year and this is because Mary was so loved by everyone. She will never be forgotten.”

Durham Federation beat Washington Federation 2-1; Langley Park Hotspurs drew with Deerness Valley Storm 2-2; Langley Park Over 40s beat Sacriston Over 40s 4-1; Langley Park Working Men's Club beat Sacriston Working Men's Club 4-3.

Mrs Jones added: “Langley Park Over 40s won on penalties and it's the first year in 12 years that they have won their match.

“Well done to you everyone and ‘thank you’ to all the ladies and gentlemen who worked very hard on preparing food, on the tombolas selling raffle tickets and to all that donated raffle prizes.”