TEESSIDE Hospice picked up a festive gift when staff were presented with a cheque for £4,045.

Staff from Marks & Spencer, Teesside Park, chose the hospice as their charity of the year but they never imagined they would be handing over such a huge Christmas gift.

Pam Bennison, of M&S Teesside Park, said: "We are so happy to support the hospice and be able to donate such a large amount to such a worthy local cause. I would like to thank both our staff and customers for making this possible and for giving so generously."

Maureen Thompson, hospice chief executive, said: "We are so grateful for the support we have received from Marks & Spencer Teesside Park. It is only with the support of businesses like them that we are able to raise the £4,900 needed each day to care for local people with advanced cancer and other life limiting illnesses."