A family is organising a fundraising event for Teesside Hospice in memory of their grandfather.

Eric Robson, 72, died at the Middlesbrough hospice in March. The former process worker from Redcar had been suffering from an asbestos-related cancer.

His grandsons, Neal, Mark, and Ben Chattaway, from Lincoln, all play in an Irish band Bottle of Smoke with friends Peter and Allan Cowell.

The trio will play at the Claxton Hotel, High Street, Redcar, on Saturday from 7.30pm.

Other grandchildren Alex John and Matthew Young, of Redcar, and Emily Robertson, and her brother, Joseph, of Marske, have helped distribute posters and organise ticket sales.

Mr Robson's daughter, Denise Robertson, said: "They wanted to do this for their grandfather because they all loved him so much and he had a fantastic relationship with them all.

"He kept all the family laughing with his great sense of humour, even when he'd been told he had terminal cancer.

"They're doing this as a thank you to the hospice and to all the doctors, nurses and volunteers who showed so much support and care to the whole family."

Tickets cost £5, including pie and peas, and are available by calling (07814) 907673.

Published: 15/07/2004