Customers at The Spread Eagle pub in Rayleigh came out tops in a Ladbrokes' top tipster competition.

Their prize was a £100 charity bet which they split between favourite Refuse to Bend, second favourite Brian Boru and Kris Kin, the outsider that won Saturday's race at Epsom Downs.

The £25 bet netted charity Cerebra £350 winnings plus the £100 stake money which was donated by the betting company.

Staking a claim : Laurie Murriso, assistant manager at the Spread Eagle, places the charity bet with Ladbrokes' Rayleigh shop manager Nigel Bircumshaw Picture: Maxine Clarke

Cerenra raises funds for children with brain injuries.

"We are absolutely delighted that the bet paid off and has helped such a worthwhile charity," said a Ladbrokes spokesman.

The company ran a top tipster competition in Rayleigh High Street pubs.

Published Monday, June 9, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo