A SPLENDID sum for local charities was made at Tavistock Rotary Club's bookstall and 'Guess the Weight of the Geese' competition at the Goose Fair last week.

Just over £750 was raised by the two events with more than 740 guesses being registered for the goose competition. The prize was won by Mrs Barnes from Bideford who guessed correctly at 25.5lbs and she opted for the cash in lieu of the dressed goose.

The club combined this with a separate collection for ShelterBoxes to help victims of the recent disasters in the Pacific area.

Club president Wally Lake said: 'The public have again been very generous by contributing £1,367 which is almost enough to fund three ShelterBoxes. One very benevolent Tavistock resident wrote out a cheque to cover the entire cost of the box.'

Rotary clubs throughout the country have been raising money and 200 boxes are now in Java following the earthquake earlier in September. A further 424 boxes are on the way to other parts of Indonesia.