DRIVING wind and rain failed to dampen the spirits of teams taking part in this year’s annual Battens charity beach volleyball tournament in Dorset.

Twenty two teams braved the weather for the event on Weymouth beach raising more than £1,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

In a hard-fought final the five strong ‘Agincare Demons’ beat a rival team from the Dorset-based care provider – the Agincare Angels – by 17 points to 15 to be crowned 2012 champions.

Mark Baker, Team Captain, said: “We’re absolutely over the moon at winning.”

He added: “The weather’s not been on our side but it’s a brilliant event and we’ve had a really good time.”

This year’s tournament was the fifth to be staged by Battens and attracted teams from a wide variety of companies and organisations. A team from Stratton Village Hall won the ‘Best of the Rest’ final.

Trudy Braithwaite, Battens’ Marketing Manager, said: “All the teams showed true British grit in the face of some appalling weather.

“Despite the rain, wind and the cold, the tournament was a great success. Our thanks go out to everyone who took part and helped raised money for such a well-deserving cause.”

Battens is a Legal 500 firm with offices in Weymouth, Yeovil, Sherborne and Dorchester.

Champions: The Agincare Demons celebrate winning the 2012 Battens charity beach volleyball tournament watched by Battens’ Trudy Braithwaite (third right), Charlotte Appleby and Cherise Luke-Bennett.