THERE was a full house at Bridport's Royal British Legion Hall for a charity bingo session organised by the daughter of former scrap dealer Brian Richards.

Despite an enforced change of venue at the 11th hour, Monday's event was a great success and raised £368.75 for the Dorset Kidney Fund.

Said Hazel Richards just before bingo caller Michael Read picked up the microphone: "I hoped we'd get a good crowd, but I was really worried that not many would show up. But this is terrific!"

By 7pm when the hall was due to open, it was already half full and a queue for cards and tickets had formed.

Fund spokesman Ali Cameron said: "Brian is one of Bridport's great characters and his health has recently deteriorated so it was hardly surprising that so many were happy to go along."

Mr Richards, 62, is suffering from kidney disease and was not well enough to attend the event, which involved numerous members of Hazel's family.

Another measure of Brian's popularity was that all the prizes were sponsored or donated by over 100 Bridport businesses. They varied from soft toys to fine wines and spirits, houseware, meals out and toiletries. Even a new car tyre featured on the list.

The final tally of prizes was twice what was needed so Hazel is now looking at dates before Christmas for another bingo session.

Next month she has organised a charity quiz night at the Kings Head, Bradpole, on October 26 at 8.30pm.

A second, take-home quiz is now being sold by Hazel and her team. Once again the money raised from all these events will go to the Dorset Kidney Fund and help towards the £16,000 needed for the fund's next target, a Prisma dialysis machine.