Estate agents clubbed together to help needy people throughout Sussex.

The annual dinner of the Brighton and Hove Estate Agents Association, which included an auction and a Scalextric challenge, raised £12,500 for charity.

The Argus Appeal was one of three organisations chosen to receive a donation of £3,125.

The Sussex Cancer Fund and the Myelin Project, an organisation supporting multiple sclerosis sufferers, got the same amount and the rest will be used as sponsorship for other estate agents doing fund-raising activities in the coming year.

Chris Oakley, the association's president, said: "We wanted to give something back to the community.

"The dinner was a great success.

"Get 450 estate agents in one room with alcohol and a good time is guaranteed."