A LOCAL derby between Wharfedale and Otley rugby clubs saw £500 being raised for Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice.

Wharfedale RUFC will be supporting the hospice by promoting the charity on its match balls at home matches throughout the season.

It follows an initiative by club committee member Robert Fort which saw match balls funded for the season by club members, who were also given the opportunity to vote for a charity whose name would feature on the balls.

Manorlands was chosen in a poll and the balls themselves were supplied by Gilberts, part of the Grays International, whose Luke Gray is a former Wharfedale player .

And at the weekend's match, which saw Otley win by three points, a bucket collection raised £343, which was then topped up by the Wharfedale club.

Club chairman David Baker said it was “a great demonstration of the Wharfedale club’s close community commitment'

Manorlands community fundraiser, Molly Ralphson, said: “We are delighted to be the chosen charity of the season and hope the ball brings good luck to the rest of the home matches this season.I would like to thank all the spectators for their kind donations in the collection too, every one of them have helped make a difference to those cared for at Manorlands ”.