A BUCKET collection at Taunton Races raised £491.63 for County Gazette-backed cancer charity Somerset Unit for Radiotherapy Equipment.

A total of £1,165.39 was presented to the charity last week, taking the amount raised since it linked up with the Gazette to £522,137.60, which is used to help equip the Beacon Centre cancer unit at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital.

Other donations last week included £45 in 5p coins from Claire Jones and family, of Langport, and £30, including £5 in 5ps from Norman Tomkies, of Street.

Collection pots raised £30.30 at Castle Bridge newsagents, Bath Place, Taunton; £37.62 at Cartridge World, East Reach, Taunton, £77.42, including £15.70 in 5ps, from Teare's newsagents, Wellington, £51.64 from Londis, Bridgwater, and £178.53 including £136.15 in 5ps from Minster Pharmacy, Ilminster.

The collection from the Beacon Centre was £223.25 including £219.05 in 5ps of which £3.20 in 5ps was from Marion.