WELLINGTON Rugby Club is hoping to score extra cash through changes to the way it is run.

Club bosses and members are bidding for 'Community Amateur Sports Club' status. And the move will allow the club to take advantage of generous tax breaks and reduced business rates from the start of the new financial year in April.

Club secretary Nick Robins explained the two main benefits of the plan, which comes in the wake of the Government's Finance Act 2002.

First up is a mandatory 80 per cent reduction in business rates, compared to the current discount of 50 per cent. That means a hefty saving of up to £3,000 a year for the club.

The second benefit comes through the Government's 'Gift Aid' scheme, which is so far best-known for giving tax breaks to charities.

Donations to the rugby club, given by tax paying businesses, groups or individuals without any benefit or gain to themselves, qualify for tax relief to the tune of 22p in the pound.

The club voted to apply for CASC status at a special meeting on January 7.

Now, all that is needed is a change in the rules of the club to fit in with the Inland Revenue's requirements.

"Once that's done, we will apply to become a Community Amateur Sports Club," said Mr Robins. "We hope that, from April 5, we will have completed all the necessary paperwork, ready to start increasing our income."

The only limitation is that the club will have to stick to its 'amateur' status.

"We have taken the view that, for the foreseeable future, we don't expect to become a professional club in terms of paying people to play."