FORMER Gloucestershire and England cricketer Jack Russell has raised more than £500 for needy children in Yate.

The sportsman and artist, who owns a gallery in Chipping Sodbury High Street, held a collection at the County Ground in Bristol during a championship match between Gloucestershire and Middlesex.

Now a coach with Gloucestershire, Mr Russell walked around the ground with several volunteers asking for cash to help Yate Opportunity Group build a sensory garden. Players from both teams each contributed cash as well.

Mr Russell is patron of the group which runs a pre-school for children with and without special needs.

He said: "Times are extremely tight for everyone at the moment but every penny we can raise will go towards brightening the lives of a group of children and help put them on track for a better life."

The group, which relies solely on donations, needs to raise a total of £8,000 for the sensory garden which will give children more opportunities to play and learn.