CUSTOMERS who piled pennies helped two Thwaites pubs to scoop top prizes for collecting the most cash for charity. Cliff and Marilyn Hutchinson, of the Gibraltar Hotel, Blackburn, were the winners raising £1,345 in the contest for the Royal National Institute for the Blind. They also won the Champion of Champions trophy for collecting £1,797 during the last two years.

Isobel and Graham Freely, of the Crescent Hotel, Blackburn, were one of the runners-up in the competition, raising £311. Certificates were presented by former England and Blackburn Rovers captain Ronnie Clayton, who thanked them for their hard work.

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