A SHORT mat bowling club has collected 1,000 5p coins for a Taunton-based cancer charity.

Representatives from the Hemyock club have handed the cash to the County Gazette-backed Somerset Unit for Radiotherapy Equipment (SURE), which equips the Beacon Centre at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital.

There were also gifts in 5ps of £25.30 from Jan Biddiscombe and friends, of Creech St Michael; £25 from Marlene Matthews and friends, of Wembdon; and £26 from West Buckland WI.

Mrs D. Seymour left £24 in 20ps and 5ps at the Beacon Centre, which handed over to SURE £110.71, mainly in 5ps.

Collection pots raised £47.35 at the Beacon Centre reception tea bar and £24.70 at Wembdon Stores and Post Office.

There was also £22.50 from Mr and Mrs R. Walker, of Taunton, from the sale of surplus Bramley apples, and £10.71 from the Summer Skittles Girls, Bridgwater.

The weekly total of £388.27 means £720,367.80 has been raised since SURE linked up with the Gazette.