CRICKET legend Sir Ian Botham was the star guest at a charity auction is aid of the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust.

The event, held at Swinton Park, near Masham, raised almost £5,000 for the cause, with a fishing rod donated by Orvis of Harrogate fetching the top price, £500.

Sir Ian gave an inspirational speech on the joys of fly-fishing and aid that for him it had proved to be a great way of relieving the stress of a busy life.

Trust chairman Andrew Brown said all the money raised at the event would be used to help reduce river bank erosion.

He added: “Cutting down erosion will help prevent sediment smothering gravel spawning areas vital to maintain populations of salmon and brown trout.”