HOSPICE patients and school pupils are to benefit from charity events at two Bishop Auckland bookmakers.

Staff at Ladbrokes, in Newgate Street and Cockton Hill, Bishop Auckland, have raised £750 through events at both shops.

The Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland was given £500 which will help in its continued work to care for terminally ill patients.

Cockton Hill Infant School in the town was given £250 to help to pay for installation of closed-circuit security television cameras in the school.

A spokesman for Ladbrokes said: "Funds are raised in over 1,900 Ladbroke shops across the UK and placed into a central fund. Applications for funding from the Ladbrokes in the Community Charitable Trust are then made by staff to support local good causes and charities in their community. We are delighted to have been able to help two such worthy causes.