MORE than £12,000 has been raised at a charity dinner in Chester, to fund sporting opportunities for disadvantaged children.

A host of famous names turned out for the Lord and Lady Taverners' Question of Sport dinner at the Chester Grosvenor, including author and former champion jockey Dick Francis, West Indies cricket captain Clive Lloyd CBE, ex-Tottenham and Wales footballer Mike England and Gary Talbot, formerly of Chester City.

Sponsored by Cazenove Fund Management, the lavish event featured a sporting quiz hosted by Alan McInally and a champagne reception laid on by Brabners, Chaff Street.

The luminaries in attendance had the chance to bid for delights such as a shirt signed by footballing hero Wayne Rooney, England and Lancashire signed cricket bats and a night in the green room at TV show They Think It's All Over.

The buy of the night was a day at Silverstone with the Williams F1 team, donated by Jonathan Ledgard, which went for £4,500.

The Lord and Lady Taverners' charitable work aims to 'give young people, particularly those with special needs, a sporting chance'. Money raised from this dinner will help fund minibuses and sports equipment for hospitals and schools.