AN Elvis Presley tribute show at the Dormans Social Club, in Middlesbrough, has raised more than £1,500 to buy a horse for the Riding for the Disabled Association's Unicorn Centre, at Hemlington, Middlesbrough.

The event was organised by Bill Holmes, as well as his wife Ann, daughter Lorraine and mother-in-law Lillian who set up Charity Challenge, an organisation which is well known in the area for raising funds for local charities.

The Broken Horseshoe Country and Western Club, in Stockton, also made a £100 donation.

Mr Holmes said: "I have wanted to buy a horse for the Unicorn Centre for several years, and when I heard that the centre had a horse in mind, we set to work.

"I chose the Elvis tribute, because Elvis is so popular on Teesside, and I knew the event would be successful.

"I'm delighted that we were able to raise all the funds to buy Grenadier.

"I would like to thank all the staff and members of the Dormans Social Club for their invaluable support."

Grenadier was owned by the Tansley family, who have already permanently loaned another of their ponies, Biggles, to the Unicorn Centre.

Maggie Tansley said: "As my son Chris, who competed with Gren, is now in his final year at veterinary college, and has so little time to ride, he has agreed to sell Gren to the centre, knowing that he could not have a better home or support a more worthwhile cause."