Former England rugby captain and TV Question Of Sport host Bill Beaumont was the star guest at a dinner that raised money for Mansfield and Ashfield’s rising sports stars.

The Armchair Club — formed in 1982 by six businesspeople wanting to help their local community — has since handed out more than £200,000 to sportspeople, teams and organisations.

It now numbers 15 members who meet monthly to plan their fundraising events.

At the dinner at Portland College, Bill presented a cheque for £250, on behalf of the club, to Mansfield cyclist Ross Lamb, (20), who was recently awarded his Elite Level British Cycling licence.

Ross raced in Belgium last season and is keen to progress to the European Racing Circuit next year and to become a professional cyclist in 2018.

Several sportspeople who have been helped by the club attended the dinner, including world sidecar champions Ben and Tom Birchall, freeystyle skier Ethan Davis, swimmer Elliot Clogg, Brazilian jiu jitsu fighter Lyla Easom, ice skaters Callum Mills and Joshua Tarry, taekwondo fighter Joanne Elford and gymnast Alissia Barlow.