A KNOCKOUT day of family fun helped to raise more than £10,000 for Macmillan Cancer Relief's York Appeal.

Twenty-three teams from businesses and organisations across York and North Yorkshire battled it out "It's a Knockout" style in aid of the charity.

Yesterday's event on Knavesmire, York, involved a series of competitive heats, which saw teams go head-to-head on the inflatable assault course, completing a series of tasks in the quickest time possible.

The teams consisted mostly of York-based businesses, including Costcutter Supermarkets, Next Generation, Monk Bar Hotel, Kraft Foods and Matalan.

The team from Shepherd Engineering Services won the event, picking up a second prize for raising the most sponsorship money, more than £1,500.

There was also a range of other activities for spectators to enjoy, including a bouncy castle, roundabouts, tombola, cake stall, book stall and Minster FM's Grand Summer Tour.

All the money raised went towards the Macmillan Cancer Relief York Appeal - launched last June to raise £400,000 to fund two additional Macmillan nurses and a Macmillan GP for cancer patients in the York area. The appeal currently stands at £325,000.

Alex Emsley, Macmillan Cancer Relief's York appeal co-ordinator, said: "We had a fantastic day, it was really good.

"The teams seemed to really enjoy themselves and the spectators seemed to have an equally good time.

"The weather, being as it was, really added to the day. We know we have raised more than £10,000, but there is a lot of money still to come in."

The event was organised by Macmillan York Appeal Committee member Jan Drinkall.

Updated: 15:00 Monday, August 04, 2003