A CELEBRITY cricket match raised £20,000 to help special needs children get involved in sport.

The game at Cholmondeley Cricket Club was contested by teams captained by comedian Nick Hancock and Lord Francis Stafford, president of the North West Lord's Taverners.

The charity aims to provide sporting opportunities for children with special needs.

Celebrities including former Manchester United star Clayton Black-more, comedian Arthur Smith, TV auctioneer Adam Partridge and presenters Nick Knowles and Mark Durden-Smith turned out in soaring temperatures.

Nick Hancock's men left it to the last of 35 overs to reach 207-6 and pass Lord Stafford's team's 202-8.

As well as the £60 tickets, an auction hosted by Adam Partridge also helped to rake in funds, with the likes of a holiday in Barbados and a signed England football being sold.

Children from Dee Banks Special School in Chester showed the stars a £42,000 specially-adapted minibus funded by Taverners events last year.

Chris Talbot, chairman of the North West Lady Taverners, said: 'It was a fantastic event and everyone enjoyed it - to raise £20,000 was incredible.

'This summer we'll be giving out more than 300 Kwik Cricket sets to children throughout the North West.

'We want to get them off the streets and involved in cricket.'

Mark Fearnell, chairman of Chester Lord's Taverners, said: 'We are so pleased with how it went, we're hoping to make the match an annual event.'

Nick Hancock said: 'Cholmondeley is a lovely setting for the match and we've had a fantastic turnout; there must have been 300 people here.

'It's great to see the kids from Dee Banks here, that really gives the event a bit of focus.

'I've been involved with the Lord's Taverners for around 18 months now and it's a great cause, which does a lot of fantastic work.'

Ray Elliott, head of Dee Banks Special School, said: 'We were invited to show the celebrities the fruits of their labours, the bus is fabulous.

'The children had a great time.'