THE Scott Trial, organised by Richmond Motor Club, has raised more than £12,000 for local charities and organisations.

The event, held annually in October, takes place in Arkengarthdale and Swaledale where 200 motorcycle trial riders compete on a tough, mostly off-road moorland course of more than 75 miles.

It is renowned as the toughest one-day motorcycle trial in the world and only half the competitors usually manage to reach the finish. It has been taking place for nearly 90 years, 50 of which have been in this area.

The funds were boosted last year by teams of riders, including one made up of three local retained firemen from Reeth who raised £3,300 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Martin McGregor, from Richmond, and two friends raised more than £2,000 for The Dales Special School at Morton on Swale, while the Johnson brothers from Shildon and the Richardson brothers from Skeeby raised more than £1,000.

Representatives of the charities and organisations involved gathered last Friday to receive the cheque, when the Scott Trial clerk of course, John Fraser, announced that nearly £50,000 had been raised by the event in the last 13 years.

Those benefiting from the 2003 event include local primary schools and playgroups, Swaledale Scouts, Swaledale Fell Rescue, Riding for the Disabled, Sharecare, McMillan Cancer Relief, The Yorkshire Air Ambulance, The Mowbray School, Reeth Young Farmers, the Friarage special care baby unit and the Friarage breast cancer care unit.

The picture above shows the cheque being presented by the Scott Trial committee to representatives of the various charities.