A BATH playgroup has benefited from the closure of a south west naval club, which donated its remaining funds to a Ministry of Defence charity.

The Wellsway-based Bath Opportunity Playgroup received a cheque for £500, presented by volunteers Martina Reed and Karen Williams of charity MoD Care, who are pictured in the back row meeting mums and children.

MoD Care was able to combine its regular £8,000 collected from voluntary donations by serving and retired staff with a £5,500 windfall from the Ensleigh-based naval club.

The playgroup plan to purchase specialist indoor climbing equipment for the under-fives.

The chairman of MoD Care Keith Early said the extra money would enable the charity to help local groups.

He said: "We can normally donate £8,000 a year to a variety of good causes, but this year we are extremely fortunate in being given an extra £5,500 which we can distribute to local charities and voluntary groups."

The 60-year-old MoD charity, which was formed with the backing of the then Prince of Wales, contributes between £475 and £660 to 54 groups annually.

This year 10 local organisations benefited from the extra cash, including the Children's Hospice, Tapes for the Handicapped and Blind and CRUSE.

Bath Night Shelter, the Queensway Centre for autistic children in Melksham, the Pain Relief Clinic and Bridges physiotherapy centre at St Martins Hospital were also helped.

Mr Early said the money would help provide new equipment for the Children's Hospice in Bristol.

He said: "A special oxygen concentrator will be bought for the Children's Hospice in Bristol."