HELPFUL Holidays, the West Country holiday cottage agency, threw down the gauntlet to Michael Caines' award-winning Michelin-starred hotel, Gidleigh Park, by challenging them to a charity cricket match at Chagford Cricket Club in aid of the charity Farms For City Children.

With beautiful sunshine at the Wisden-listed venue and, with the music of the jazz band and the clink of glasses in the background, some exceptional cricket was played with Gidleigh Park the winning team.

The day finished with a grand raffle which raised £4,231.90 for the charity. Organisers thanked those who donated the prizes.