STARS from the rugby world helped raise £25,000 for a new baby unit at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore on St George's Day.

Wooden Spoon, British rugby's charity for disadvantaged children, organised a £95-a-head dinner at Twickenham which was attended by more than 200 people on Friday.

On a night of fun and festivities in honour of England's patron saint, the generous guests dug deep during an auction, donating £4,000 apiece for a Rugby World Cup shirt signed by England's victorious squad and a collage of Jonny Wilkinson's momentous drop-goal.

Diners revelled in a traditionally English atmosphere, supping real ale and feasting on an immense baron of beef paraded before them.

They also enjoyed rousing speeches by legendary England hard-man turned TV commentator Brian Moore and Wasps professional Peter Scrivener.

Wooden Spoon chairman Robin Sutton hailed the night a massive success.

He said the charity aimed to raise £250,000 for the baby unit at the world-famous hospital in Brockley Hill. The running total now stands at £100,000, and members need to secure another £50,000 a year for the next three years.

Robin said: "This is the third year we have marked St George's Day and raised money for charity.

"In the past we contributed £60,000 to help build an extension for Alexandra Special School in South Harrow. England captain Lawrence Dallaglio, our honorary president, presented the cheque."

Wooden Spoon is rugby's largest charity and was started in Middlesex by the Scott family in 1983. President Peter Scott MBE chose the name because that year England finished bottom of the Five Nations championship.