A RECORD amount of money has been handed over to three local charities by the outgoing chairman of Selby District Council.

Coun John Bedworth raised an impressive £14,700 during his term of office - a new record for the district.

The previous record was £12,004, which was raised by Coun Wally Norton.

The cash has been split three ways between Coun Bedworth's chosen charities which were selected to benefit the people of the district.

The special baby care unit at York Hospital, the Selby Animal Sanctuary in Hambleton, and the Candlelighters at St James's Hospital, Leeds, were each presented with a cheque for £4,900 at a special ceremony. Coun Bedworth said: "It's just unbelievable. I really didn't expect to beat Wally's total.

"I said at the start I would be happy with £6,000, but it just grew and grew.

"It has been a great deal of work, but it was definitely worth it when I saw how much it was appreciated by the charities.

"The cash will go a long way."

During his term of office, Coun Bedworth organised a number of fundraising activities including hosting a gospel choir and a philharmonic orchestra at Selby Abbey.

He also took part in the Great North Run and the London Marathon.

But his greatest challenge was the Lyke Wake Walk, a gruelling 42-mile trek across the North York Moors in July last year.

"It was sprung on me at the last minute and it was really hard work," he said.

Joan Scott, of Selby Animal Sanctuary, said the donation was one of the largest they had ever received and would go towards improvements to facilities.

"Coun Bedworth must have worked so hard," she said.

"With all that walking he has now got shorter legs than me! It is nice to see that somebody thinks we are worth it."

Coun Bedworth says he now plans to take a well-earned rest, but has offered to help his successor, Coun Richard Sweeting, in any way he can.

Updated: 12:25 Monday, June 02, 2003