GOLFERS from around the region will tee off next week in support of a hospice.

The St Oswald's Hospice Jigsaw Appeal has once again chosen De Vere Slaley Hall, in Northumberland - venue for last week's Great North Open - for its charity golf day next Wednesday.

Since 1996, hundreds of local companies have supported the Newcastle hospice by entering its annual tournament, helping to raise thousands of pounds.

Last year, the tournament was hosted by De Vere Slaley Hall and sponsored by DNR Group, and raised more than £11,000 towards St Oswald's Jigsaw appeal.

The Jigsaw appeal aims to raise £5.1m to develop a similar service for children, a target which is very close to being achieved.

So far over 32 teams have entered the tournament, again sponsored by DNR.

Set west of Newcastle, in 1,000 acres of forest and moorland, Slaley Hall boasts not one but two championship golf courses, meaning it can accommodate more than 50,000 rounds per year.

The St Oswald's tournament will be played on Slaley's Priestman course, which was designed by Neil Coles, ex-European Tour and Ryder Cup player and chairman of the PGA European Tour.

De Vere Slaley Hall will also be providing a prize of dinner for eight and a round of golf for four to the winning team.

Andrew Coggings, general manager at De Vere Slaley Hall, said: "It's a pleasure to be involved with this charity tournament for a second time, especially due to the success of last year's event. We're aiming to make the 2002 tournament even better and to smash last year's total."

Since St Oswald's Hospice opened in 1986, it has directly cared for more than 10,000 North East adults with life threatening illnesses, gaining an international reputation for specialist medical and nursing care.

For more information on the event, contact St Oswald's Hospice fundraising department on 0870 700 3030.