FORMER England cricket captain David Glower launched a brand new partnership between pasty giant Ginsters and West Devon children's charity CHICKS at Gloucester County Cricket Club last week.

Ginsters, based at Callington, is to help fundraise for CHICKS (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids) for the next two years by sponsoring events and raising the charity's profile.

Tracy Izod is fundraiser and special events organiser for CHICKS, based near Milton Abbot.

She said: 'Ginsters are hoping to help CHICKS raise funds towards buying a second centre in Cornwall in the future.

'This year the charity is fully booked, and we have 423 children staying here with us.

'CHICKS' growing reputation is such that, unfortunately, we are severely over-subscribed for 2000 and our child co-ordinator is inundated with requests from other children's charities and organisations seeking child places.'

Tracy said there are more than 470 children on the waiting list for a cancellation which would enable them to have a holiday in West Devon this year.

During the launch day, children enjoying a stay with CHICKS met David Gower, one of the charity's patrons, and told him about the charity's work.

The children were treated to lunch and an afternoon watching Zimbabwe play the West Indies.

Tracy said: 'It was the first ever UK floodlit international and we felt very privileged to have been invited along and to be a part of it.

'The children managed to get some autographs, including Brian Lara's and had a great time.'

The first event to be sponsored by Ginsters in aid of CHICKS is the fourth annual country fayre and dragon boat racing at Roadford Lake on August 13.

There are already 24 teams entered for the race, a qualifier for the south west regional heats in September with the chance of winning a holiday for two in Hong Kong in 2001.

More information about the event is available from Tracy on 01822 870692.