THE chicken may not have been a starter in any of the races at Hereford racecourse's annual Grand National Race Day on Saturday April 2, but he was still a winner, raising £130 for Acorns Children's Hospice.

Race Day was sponsored by Sun Valley, with free tickets given to every member of staff as a thank-you and employees presenting prizes to winning owners.

Charlie the Chicken's auction was just part of an action- packed day, featuring both the FA Cup semi-final and the Martell Grand National on the big screen, as well as a full afternoon's track action.

It was Charlie's second outing for charity, having already raised £120 for Acorns at a City of Hereford Rotary dinner, but it won't be his last, as his most recent owner has already set him loose to be re-raffled for Acorns.