A GOLDEN "Oscar" has been presented to a music retailer who has provided vital donations to a hospice.

The statuette was presented to Williams Music Group by St Teresa's Hospice in recognition of the continued support the company has given over the years.

The 100 employees at Williams, one of the UK's oldest musical instrument retailers, selected the Darlington hospice as its main chosen charity.

Marketing manager Steve Ward said: "I never thought I'd see the day when I accepted an Oscar.

"Everyone at the company is delighted to be recognised in this novel way and the hospice is an extremely worthwhile cause.

"The Oscar will take pride of place at our Darlington headquarters and it will certainly be a talking point."

The company sponsors events such as the hospice annual ball and also gives direct donations and provides musical instruments to offer as prizes in fundraising raffles.

Hospice director Jane Bradshaw said: "We are very grateful indeed to company sponsors like Williams, who have supported us for many years.

"It costs £2,000 a day to keep the hospice operating and patients with life-limiting illnesses and their carers value our service greatly."