NEARLY £24,000 was raised for charity at a golf day hosted by bestselling crime author Peter James.

The event at Brighton’s Dyke Golf Club was in aid of The Martlets Hospice in Hove.

A total of 144 golfers took part in the annual Peter James Golf Classic.

The author, best known for his Detective Inspector Roy Grace thriller novels, has a personal connection with The Martlets as the hospice cared for his mother.

He said: “Martlets is where my mother died in December 1999, surrounded by love, laughter and the kindest imaginable care.

“I made a promise that, for the rest of my life, I would do all I could to help support this wonderful institution which is local to so many of us. It is a charity so it depends on fundraising for its survival.

“I know so many of us in Sussex who have relatives and friends who have been given great support during immensely difficult and sad times by the truly dedicated and caring team at this hospice.”

Sally Brighton, from The Martlets, said the golf day was a huge success.

She said: “Despite two rain showers the weather was warm and sunny so the playing conditions were perfect.

“We are very grateful to Peter for his ongoing support, Dyke Golf Club for providing the venue and to everyone who took part, sponsored a hole or gave raffle prizes.

“The players were so generous and all money raised will help us to support families from the area when they need us the most.”

The winners were Team GB, made up of Geoff Bush, Pippa Bush, David Garbutt and Louisa Ryder. They were closely followed by The DMJ2 consisting of David Green, Malcolm Stalker, Jeff Lamb and John Kittow.