FORMER Royal Marine Ian Lloyd, of Whiteball, Wellington, was a guest at the coin toss for Somerset County Cricket Club’s recent match with Lancashire.

Mr Lloyd, whose wife Janet is a Wellington town councillor and former mayor of the town, was invited in his role as a member of Blesma, the Limbless Veterans Charity.

The military charity supports all serving and ex-Service men and women who have lost limbs or have lost the use of limbs or eyes.

Because Blesma does not receive any Government funding, it relies solely on public support to enable it to help injured veterans for as long as they need it.

The county cricket club hosted Blesma members on the first day of the Lancashire match to heighten awareness of the charity’s work and to allow collections to be made around the ground which raised a total of £1,012.

Mr Lloyd attended the toss with the two captains and umpires before the start of a game which turned out to be a Specsavers County Championship First Division title decider.

Somerset’s win over title-chasing Lancashire meant Essex became champions, and it also boosted the county’s own hopes of avoiding relegation.

More information about Blesma can be found by calling 020 8590 1124 or emailing [email protected]