A CHARITY devoted to the fight against cancer has won the backing of an award-winning vintners.

Thirsk-based Playford Ros, among the north's leading wine merchants, has chosen Macmillan Cancer Relief as its charity to support in 2005.

The charity's fundraising manager, Wilma Burniston, said the association would be mutually beneficial and productive.

"We both have a strong presence in the North and North-East of England and we will be looking to build on this," she said.

"We are already planning a number of prestigious events for later in the year, including a charity dinner at the celebrated Cleveland Tontine, run by the legendary Eugene McCoy."

The managing director of Playford Ros, Andrew Firth, added: "In the past, our company has supported a number of charities, but this year we thought we would focus on just the one. Macmillan Cancer Relief is a most worthwhile charity, which touches so many people's lives, and we are delighted to be able to support it."

The charity link-up follows the news that the vintners have been named the Restaurant Supplier of the Year in the Wine of Australia awards