A signed England rugby ball is being offered for display to raise money for a Wickford school.

Deputy head of Wickford Church of England School in Mount Road, Christine Daniel, is an honorary steward at Twickenham, showing people to their seats and helping with security. At the annual stewards' dinner rugby fan Mrs Daniel won the signed ball in a raffle.

Stars who added their signature include Laurence Dallaglio, Jeremy Gusgott and Johnny Wilkinson.

The ball is expected to become a collectors' item in a few years. In the meantime it could be on show to the community.

Mrs Daniel said: "Perhaps a sports shop would like to display it in its window, especially with the excitement of Billericay playing at Twickenham in a big cup game soon.

"The shop would just have to pay a small fee for using it."

Any money raised will go towards the school fundraising group Faces, which has already paid for computers and a garden for the school.

For information contact 01268 733297.

All signed up - school pupils Alice Sanders and Alex Thomson with the England rugby ball

Picture: NICK ANSELL

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