More than 500 guests enjoyed fine weather and great cricket, for the tenth anniversary of The Lords Taverners celebrity cricket match at Cholmondeley Castle courtesy of Lord Cholmondeley and the Dowager Lady Cholmondeley.

The annual event raises money to enhance the lives of disadvantaged and disabled young children, through sport and recreation and the most marginalised and at risk young people in the UK.

Guests rubbed shoulders with celebrities from near and far, including cricket hero Mike Gatting, Gus McKay, former Zimbabwe international cricketer, now head of cricket for the Lords Taverners, former Liverpool, Manchester United and England footballer Michael Owen, BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin and husband David, Neal Radford, England and Worcester cricketer, John Price, MCC and England and Nick Hancock, TV personality and president of the Northwest Lords Taverners.

A new minibus was presented to Peterhouse School, Southport, the keys of the bus were presented to exams officer of the school Richard Aindow by former England football star Michael Owen.

Sue Murphy of Autism-Initiatives in Liverpool, thanked both The Lords and Lady Taverners for the beautiful green bus saying without it young people could not get out to visit occasions such as Cholmondeley, it makes a huge difference to the lives of young people. Other buses at the event were from St Christopher’s School in Wrexham and Dee Banks special needs school, Chester.

Michael Owen presents the keys of the new minibus to Richard Aindow chief exams officer at Peterhouse School in Southport

Organisers, Mark Fearnall, chairman of Chester Lords Taverners, Simon Lees-Jones, northwest chair of the charity, Chris Talbot who started the Cheshire and North West Lady Taverners and Peter Willis, were overwhelmed with the goodwill of both guests and players.

Mark said: “Time goes very quickly but to reach the tenth anniversary is a bit surreal.”

He went on to thank sponsors, Peter Willis owner of Box-It, Darlene Storrar, of Storrar Cowdry solicitors in Chester, and Si Lees-Jones, of J.W.Lees Brewery in Manchester, players. He also thanked organisers and Cholmondeley Cricket Club, plus guests who have supported the event over the years.

The auction alone raised more than £51,000.

The highlight of the auction were two tickets to the red carpet world premiere of the new James Bond film Spectre to be held in London later this year, which raised a staggering £14,000. Tim and Kirsty Craig, of Kirsty Craig associates, donated the tickets and were overwhelmed at the response.

Kirsty said: “We were very happy to help this amazing charity. They provide invaluable support to young people who really need it and it’s a privilege to be involved on this occasion.”

The raffle raised almost £8,000.

Mark added: “We still have to pay some bills and then we can do the sums and come up with the final figure. I am hoping that the funds raised on the day will take the earnings of the match over the years to well over £400,000.”

Guests were entertained by Paul Boardman with his unique humour, and The Samba Band from Dee Banks School.

The cricket was entertaining, with the sun shining it was a perfect day.

Man of the match was David Minchin who was presented with the trophy by his wife Louise.

Man of the match David Minchin (husband of Louise) accepts his trophy from Nick Hancock