A pony for disabled youngsters to ride, a donation to help buy an artificial hand for a young teacher and a Christmas meal for pensioners were among donations made from this year's Sandringham Flower Show.

Also among the beneficiaries were the East Anglian Air Ambulance, the Norfolk Hospice and SERV Norfolk, along with Dersingham Day Centre, West Norfolk Citizens' Advice Bureau, West Norfolk Befriending and King's Lynn foodbank.

At a reception at Sandringham Visitor Centre, on Monday night, Flower Show chairman David Reeve told guests more than �26,000 had been given out this year.

'It's a fantastic achievement to go into the Queen's Diamond Jubilee next year with half a million pounds given to good causes since the Silver Jubilee,' he said.

'We know that many charities are struggling to raise money in these difficult times, so we are delighted to be able to put the proceeds from this year's show to such good use.

'Our priority with any profits is always to donate them to organisations working for the benefit of people in Norfolk.'

A donation from the show means Hunstanton Concert band has now reached almost half of the �23,000 it needs to buy an artificial hand for Becky Palmer, its principal trombonist.

Miss Palmer, 27, a primary school teacher from Fakenham, was born without a right hand, yet plays trombone, piano and guitar and is a keen tennis player.

A donation from the show to West Norfolk Riding For the Disabled will cover the cost of buying another pony for the 150 children who use its centre each week to ride.

As charity representatives gathered at Sandringham on Monday night, 60 pensioners living around RAF Honington were enjoying a Christmas dinner at the officer's mess, after a donation from the show.

While 29 charities and local organisations received donations this year, around 20 other charities also mounted their own stands at this year's Flower Show and were able to use the show to raise funds.

Work has already started on organising next year's show, which will take place on Wednesday, July 25.