A PUB landlady is hoping for a full house every night now that she can offer customers a game of bingo with their pint.

The Half Penny, in Easson Street, Middlesbrough, is believed to be the first pub on Teesside to obtain a permit to hold lottery and bingo games.

Landlady Deborah Moloney said regulars often asked her if they could play bingo, so she applied to Teesside Licensing Justices for permission.

While at court, she was approached by Newcastle law firm Mincoffs, which advised her to apply for the permit under the Lotteries and Amusements Act, which she did, successfully.

"I am thrilled that I can now offer my customers what they have been asking for," she said.

"Every Thursday night is now bingo night at The Half Penny. Business has already increased because people playing bingo tend to stay a little longer than they did."

Solicitor Tom Moss, of Mincoffs, said the licence was only the second of its kind granted in the North.

"The law was changed in January of this year, increasing the maximum amount of prize money allowable in these cases from £15 to £25," he said.