DRINKERS may mourn the closure of a large Chester-le-Street pub, but local children are sure to benefit.

When the Brass Castle, at Chester Moor, near Chester-le-Street, closes on Monday, the soft toys from its Wacky Warehouse are being donated to under-privileged children in the area. When Sure Start, the children's charity set up to help deprived children aged four and under, heard the Big Steak pub was closing, it asked the owners if they would donate their soft play items.

So, with the closure of a pub that cost £1.5m to build in 1996, children across the district will have a host of new play things.

Sure Start's Joan Robinson, who helps children in deprived areas such as Chester West, Pelton, Pelton Fell, Grange Villa and West Pelton, said they were grateful to the pub.

She said: "Unfortunately they are closing on Monday, but we are going to benefit.

"We asked them if they would consider donating their soft play items, like climbing frames, foam and ball pools, and they kindly said yes."

The toys will soon be distributed among parent toddler groups in the district.

The pub is to be converted into a motel.