THE Martin House Hospice for children has found itself £500 better off thanks to a cheque handed over by the York and District Metal Detecting Club.

Don Boldison, a member of the club, handed over the cheque, a percentage of the finds the club has made in the last year, to the hospice at Boston Spa.

Over the last few years the club has made a number of larger annual donations, but the ravages of foot and mouth kept this year's gift down to £500.

Ada Appleyard, of the hospice shop in Gillygate, York, said: "We are very grateful for this money. It means a lot to us to receive these annual cheques from the club."

Updated: 12:29 Saturday, December 29, 2001