TWO charities were given a fundraising boost from the former chairman of Bromsgrove District Council after more than £7,000 was raised during her term in office.

The £7,703.77 raised during Councillor Jill Dyer's (Con-Drakes Cross and Walkers Heath) time as chairman will be split between her two chosen charities - the Bromsgrove Youth Homelessness Forum and the Hollytrees Animal Rescue Trust at Wythall.

The money was handed over at a ceremony at the council house in Burcot Lane.

Councillor Dyer said she was delighted with the fundraising efforts during her term in office.

"I want to say a big thank you to everyone who contributed towards raising this fantastic amount for these two very worthy causes," she said.

"Every penny counts and local people certainly showed that Bromsgrove is a very caring community."

She also praised the efforts of everyone who contributed at various functions held throughout the year, including a carol concert, the Street Theatre, the annual bonfire and the switching on of the Christmas lights in both Bromsgrove and Rubery.

Among the people who contributed to the fundraising were a group of five sky-divers from the council, who raised £785 towards the grand total.

Cllr Dyer went to the Duke of Gloucester's Barracks at South Carney Airfield in Cirencester to watch the sky-divers in action with the Red Devil's, who are the British Army's Parachute Display Team.