WILTSHIRE charities are to benefit from a dinner at which former Ryder Cup golf professional, television sports commentator and author Peter Alliss was the guest of honour.

Together with his wife Jackie, Mr Alliss hosted a charity dinner at the Pear Tree at Purton whose owners, Francis and Anne Young, joined with Avon Rubber to co-sponsor the event.

There were three major beneficiaries of the £1,500 raised by the event the Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation, the Wiltshire Scout Association and Trowbridge Junior Rugby Club.

Among the guests were local people who had earned the chance to meet their favourite sporting personality face to face by winning either a competition or charity auction.

So Mr and Mrs Alliss chatted at length to Peter Pressley and his son Christopher; to Brian and Liz Rose from Wrag Barn Golf Club and to Roy and Gill Langridge from North Wilts Golf Club.

Mr Alliss also signed copies of his latest book featuring his Golf Heroes.

Mr Alliss's association with Wiltshire owes much to Avon Rubber. He won many of his early professional tournaments using Avon golf grips manufactured at Melksham and he then became a consultant to Avon Rubber.