SOAP stars turned on the style at a charity cricket match in Bournemouth on Sunday.

The overcast skies of the morning gave way to warm sunshine for the afternoon event at Dean Park where celebrities from ITV's Emmerdale helped raise an expected £8,000 for the Lewis Manning Hospice in Poole.

Among the Emmerdale cast taking part were Patrick Mower, Lorraine Chase and Chris Chittell who plays Eric Pollard and John Middleton - recently featured on This Is Your Life - who was Ashley the vicar in the drama of everyday Yorkshire folk.

Bournemouth summer show star Robin Askwith, who is currently appearing in Bedside Manners, also turned and found time to sign autographs for young fans including Jake Lee aged 9.

And former Cherries and Manchester United star Russell Beardsmore was another big name at the third of the celebrity cricket matches organised by the charity.

There was also an auction of star prizes, including a trip to see Emmerdale being filmed, which raised £2,000.

Elizabeth Purcell, Lewis Manning chief executive, said: "It has been fantastic. We've had at least 2,000 people come along, and the Emmerdale people have taken two days out to be here.

"Poole MP Robert Syms gave a nice speech of support. It really has been great and I hope we will have raised even more than the £8,000 we raised last time."