MORE than £9,000 has been handed over to Worcester-shire charities at an event organised by one of the region's biggest vintage mot-orcycle clubs.

The Red Marley Freak Hill Climb Club (RMHCC), which holds its meeting in Great Witley on Easter Monday, gives a third of its profits to local charities.

Benefiting this year were Abberley and Great Witley Scouts, Wichenford village hall, Martley play group, Stourport Cricket Club, Kidderminster cardiac rehabilitation unit, St Richard's Hospice, Tenbury Hospital Trust Fund and Great Witley village hall.

The presentation dinner, held at the Hundred House, Great Witley, saw representatives collect their cheques.

Barry Hodges, the motorcycle club's vice-chairman, said that many of the causes were close to the hearts of some of the members.

Katerine Smith, manager of Martley play group, said the money was a great support. Ms Smith said: "This mean we will be able to keep going for another year. We have more than 70 children in the group and need to keep this going. So thank you all very much."

Ginny Snape, matron at Tenbury Hospital, said the money would help finance re-furbishment of the side rooms, training and buying equipment.

Mr Hodges and chairman Paul Bennett, who presented the money, thanked members and volunteers for helping to make the event such a success.

The motorcycles ridden at the hill climb are pre-1970s classics ranging from 200cc to 600cc, with some dating from the 1930s, the challenge being to ride 500 yards up the hill.

The event was revived in 2000 after a 30-year break as a reminder of the 1920s, when Red Marley Hill Climb Club held regular challenges.

It was so successful that it has been retained, and this year a record entry of 183 ridersattracted a crowd of 10,000.