A COACH and horses trip down Memory Lane, from Dymock to Ledbury and back, has proved to be a fund-raising success for a local school.

The outing of the Charles Martell stagecoach took place recently to celebrate the record-breaking reign of the Queen.

But proceeds from the event went to Ann Cam Primary in Dymock.

Head teacher, Chris Ward said: "Over £750 was raised for the school when the famous Charles Martell stagecoach once again took to the streets, offering nostalgic travel for a group of fee paying customers.

"In beautiful autumnal sunshine, the stagecoach, pulled by four magnificent coach horses, left the Beauchamp Arms in Dymock for a one hour trip to the Feathers Hotel, the 16th century coaching inn in Ledbury.

"Passengers, dressed in period costumes, enjoyed a refreshment break before returning to Dymock."

He added: "The money raised from the trip will go towards the cost of a new safe parking and drop off area at the school."

Passengers were asked to donated at least £50 per seat, each way

The stagecoach was drawn Adrian Lander's team of four coach horses.

The coach's owner, Mr Martell, is perhaps best known as the local cheesemaker responsible for the infamously popular "Stinking Bishop", a monastic-style cheese that is so pungent it was used by Gromit to raise Wallace from the dead, in the hit movie (2005), "The Curse of the Were-Rabbit".

But Mr Martell is also well -known for using his coach and four for fund-raising.

In June 2013, for instance, he organised a Coronation stagecoach run, a two day event which started at Gloucester and finished at Hereford Cathedral.

It passed through Ledbury during the town's celebratory ox roast. Money raised went to the Great Oaks Dean Forest Hospice and St Michaels Hospice, Bartestree.