A NEW variety of dahlia sold by a Heddon plant nursery has raised nearly £2,000 to help find ways to detect and treat cancer.

Westerton Ella Grace is being sold by Halls of Heddon and was bred by brothers Gordon and Harold Hodgson from Binchester.

The brothers requested that the money earned be donated to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, and now £1,900 has been raised.

Lady Elsie, Sir Bobby Robson’s widow, received the cheque on behalf of the charity and left Halls with a large bouquet of Westerton Ella Grace dahlias.

She said: “I’ve really enjoyed my visit to Halls. What lovely people and I’m so grateful to everyone involved for raising this money.”