REAL ale lovers have travelled the length and breadth of the country in a charity challenge that has raised more than £3,000.

Regulars at the Ship Inn, Middlestone Village, near Spennymoor, County Durham, set themselves a challenge to raise money for the Butterwick Hospice in Bishop Auckland.

The task was to visit as many of the 5,000 pubs listed in the Camra Real Ale Guide as they could in one year.

And to prove they had been, they asked landlords for souvenirs which would be then auctioned at the Ship Inn.

The mementoes amounted to more than 170 lots and were sold at several auctions held at the pub last year.

The final auction was held on Saturday night, bringing the final total to £3,033.

As many as 1,787 pubs were visited, bringing back souvenirs such as a pair of antlers, numerous bottles, glasses and shirts.

Landlord Graham Snaith said: "We've all had a great time, and it's good to know that we can help the Butterwick Hospice at the same time.

"It was hard work, particularly keeping track of which pubs had been visited, but the hospice is very close to many people's hearts and it was well worth the effort."

Sylvia Stoneham, fundraiser for the hospice, said: "What dedication. They've done really well to visit so many pubs in one year.

"It's a huge amount to raise from such an imaginative and unusual event.

"We are always grateful to anyone who raises funds on our behalf."