VILLAGE cricket club chairman Ed Davies was knocked for six when a clay pigeon shoot he helped organise raised £56,000 for charity.

Mr Davies and others from Bishops Cannings Cricket Club were able to see the good that charity cash can do when they visited Devizes Opportunity Centre to hand over £8.0000 to the organisation that helps children aged from nought to five with learning and physical disabilities.

He said: "We have been supporting the opportunity centre for quite a while. It is a fantastic place. Mr Davies was joined on his visit by club president David Sheppard and captain James Rapson.

Mr Davies said the eventt held at Wellington Barn near Calshot in June had 39 teams taking part in a wide range of shooting tests. He said: "It was a fantastic day and the amount of money we raised is unbelievable."

The largest share of the money will go to Julia's House children's hospice which will receive a £28,000 donation. Cash will also go to Dorothy House hospice at Winsley, Wiltshire Air Ambulance and the charity Ataxia.

A total of £5,000 will go to the cricket club's charity arm to support local causes. Mr Davies said: "None of the money from this event actually goes to the cricket club.

Much of the money raised for charity came from an auction and Mr Davies thanked the many companies in and around Devizes who had donated generously to help attract many enthusiastic bidders.