Staking a claim

That both the law and the property business are a lottery is something we all know already.

But Colchester law firm Ellisons recently hammered home the message by holding a charity casino evening to celebrate the opening of its property shop.

Almost 200 guests helped raise more than 1,000 for Hamilton Lodge Trust, a Great Bromley-based residential and day care centre for adults with learning disabilities.

Ellisons Partner Stephen Lansley is pictured with croupier Kate Hood and Stephen Moore, who clinched a mini-cruise to St Malo for winning the most chips during the evening.