A GROUP of Freemasons in Taunton raised £2,000 for a local charity at two meetings.

Graham Ten Broeke, in charge of the Queen's College Lodge over the past year, chose to donate the money to the Conquest Centre, which offers horse riding for people with disabilities at Norton Fitzwarren.

And there was a further boost when the Somerset Provincial Office stumped up a further £500 for the charity.

Mr Ten Broeke thanked lodge members and their guests for their generosity to his chosen charity as his term of office came to an end.

Accompanied by other lodge members, he visited the centre to present a cheque and to view the new catering facilities, which were partly financed by the donation.

In turn, Conquest Centre manager Jess Dixon and grants and evaluation manager Lotta von der Heyde were invited to Taunton Masonic Hall to talk to the lodge members and their partners about the charity.

Set up in 1965, it operates from premises at Conquest Farm and caters for all ages, offering many services in addition to disabled horse riding, including equine assisted and small animal therapy, counselling, student programmes, volunteering and much more.

Graham Ten Broeke (centre) presents the £2500 cheque to Jess Dixon and Lotta von der Heyde of the Conquest Centre.