RACING fans packed into a Bolton pub to celebrate the Cheltenham Festival and raise cash for charity.

Stewart and Lorraine Brookes, landlord and landlady of the Bob's Smithy Inn, in Chorley Old Road, held their annual Cheltenham Gold Cup Day races event in aid of Bolton Hospice yesterday.

Many of the guests dressed up as if they were at the real event, 140 miles away. And Lorraine's father got the biggest laugh when he turned up as comedian Max Wall.

Around 130 people -- who had paid £12.50 for a ticket -- spent an enjoyable day following races on the television.

Other activities also included a roulette table where players played to win prizes. A raffle was also held where the 'racegoers' could win a colour TV, tickets to local restaurants and bottle of champagne.

Last year, they donated £2,727 and they were hoping to improve on the total this year.

Lorraine said: "It's the fifth year that we have done this. All the money that we have raised will go to charity. We have had a lot of people who have just been handing over cheques for the hospice."

Stewart and Lorraine have supported the hospice ever since it was built -- they sponsored one of its first bricks 17 years ago.