GOLFERS battled changeable weather conditions to help put a vital piece in a North-East hospice's funding jigsaw.

Thirty-three teams took part in the annual St Oswald's Golf Tournament, at De Vere Slaley Hall, Northumberland, raising more than £12,000 for a specialist respite unit for North-East children with life-limiting conditions, such as muscular dystrophy and spina bifida.

The team competition was won by Merrill Lynch on 89, with some well fought challenges from Allied Bakeries on 88, David Pennington & Associates on 87 and Bamburgh Castle Golf Club on 86.

It saw Kevin Beaney, from Atmel North Tyneside, take the prize for the longest drive and Gordon Banks, from Bettakleen, get nearest the pin on the par three 11th.

St Oswald's Jigsaw Appeal co-ordinator Catrina Flynn said: "Special thanks must go to our main sponsors DNR Group and De Vere Slaley Hall. Thank you also to everyone who took part and made the day so enjoyable."