MEMBERS of a social club in Newton Abbot were in great spirits on Tuesday night after taking part in the 15th charity inter-pub dart competition, organised The Rotary Club of Dartmoor Vale.

Six members of Highweek family Social Club, Ringslade Road, raised nearly £300 by throwing darts constantly for two hours, competing against other pubs in Teignbridge for the highest score.

Just a month ago the club suffered thousands of pounds of damage after a fire swept through the ground floor, which doubles as a function room and doubles as a skittles alley.

However, the upstairs room of the club was undamaged by the fire, therefore the pool and darts team could continue to play on.

At the dartathon, Ron Ellis, Duncan Holden, Chris Raes, Start Lee, Daniel Calvert and John Roache took part in the event, so 750 local handicapped and disadvantaged children can go on Buckfastleigh Steam Railway, have a visit from Father Christmas and receive a present.

Throughout Teignbridge, 21 teams took part in the competition, and more than £6,000 was raised.

The social club came third overall, and they all enjoyed it.

Chris Raes, who took part in the competition, said: 'It is the second year I've done it. It is two hours of good fun, and raises money for a good cause. I'll do it again next year.'

Duncan Holden commented: 'I have been taking part in the competition for six years.

'I do it because it gives the kids something they wouldn't normally get, and it's for a good cause. I will carry on taking part in it in the future.'

Adjudicators from Dawlish Water Rotary also helped out in the dartathon.

Neil Chappell, a member of Dartmoor Vale rotary Club, said: 'We are giving disabled and under-privileged children a fantastic day out, and it is a real fun weekend.

'We look forward to it every year. We couldn't do the event without all the darts teams.'

Work to repair fire damage on the ground floor of the social club started on Wednesday, and it is estimated that it will take Olympus Construction around six weeks to complete.

'Work started on Wednesday, and it should be finished by the second week in December. We hope to have events on over Christmas and New Year. Tickets go on sale for our New Year disco on November 29. We hope to have the events on downstairs,' said club director Ashley Dawes.

'Trade has dropped dramatically, but we hope things will be on the up as soon as the work is finished,' he added.

The children will be able to go on the steam railway at the end of November.