TAXI drivers from across the borough converged on Brierley Hill's Dell Stadium to take part in a charity football tournament.

The event was organised by Dudley Private Hire and Taxi Association who were attempting to raise funds for the Eye Clinic at Russells Hall Hospital.

It is the second time they have staged the competition, which has proved such a success that it will now become an annual event.

The competition, held on September 7, raised £1,155 - beating last year's figure and saw defending champions Elite Taxis from Lye come out on top again beating Stourbridge firm Falcon Taxis 1-0 in the final with a last minute winner, while Dennings Solicitors provided the match officials.

Association chairman Shaz Saleem said: "We'd pretty much decided after last year's event to stage the competition on an annual basis, but this year's contest simply confirmed that. "This year's event couldn't have gone better if we'd scripted it."

Julia Phillips, advanced glaucoma practitioner at Dudley's Eye Clinic, was delighted the taxi drivers had chosen to support the unit which devotes around a third of its service to patients with glaucoma - a potentially devastating eye condition which is the second leading cause of blindness in the world but which, if diagnosed and treated early, can be halted.

She said: “Charitable donations help support our glaucoma service by providing cutting edge treatments, interventions and a support network – right here on our doorstep."

Mr Saleem said the Association now plans to raise money for a different department at Russells Hall Hospital each year and he added: "It's great that we can put something back into the community."