PUPILS at a village primary school are set to benefit thanks to some high-rolling antics from pub punters. Walking into the Red Lion Inn on Church Hill, Finchingfield, it would have been easy to think you had somehow taken a flight to Las Vegas as the own

PUPILS at a village primary school are set to benefit thanks to some high-rolling antics from pub punters.

Walking into the Red Lion Inn on Church Hill, Finchingfield, it would have been easy to think you had somehow taken a flight to Las Vegas as the owners decked out the watering hole with all the razzmatazz of a fun casino night in aid of the village school's PTA.

In total �1090 was raised before the cash was handed over to school headteacher Paula Hagan on Monday.

Describing it as a "huge boost", she said: "We are extremely grateful for all the support that the The Red Lion Inn and its customers have given us during the last two years, particularly by holding three events on our behalf in 2009. We are a small school and wouldn't be able to do this without such great help."

Adding donations totalling �2000 from two events earlier in the year, the grand total now stands at �3000 raised from pub events.

Since 2007, the pub regulars and staff have also helped to raise in excess of �30,000 to support other charities and local organisations in the area. This money has been raised by events held in the pub and also sponsorship of other local events including the annual Finchingfield Ball.

Charities and organisations that have benefited include The Creamer Fund at the Freshwell Medical Centre, The Finchingfield Guildhall Restoration Fund, Finchingfield Cricket Club, Farleigh Hospice, Essex Air Ambulance and the RSPCA Danaher animal shelter in Wethersfield.

The pub money machine is now in overdrive and organisers are planning a Christmas Eve Party and a huge Mardi Gras themed New Years Eve party - both with live music.

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