Teams from local organisations battled it out on the football pitch in aid of the Mayor's charities this week, raising more than £1,500 for Action for ME and RADAR (Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation).

The Mayor's Charity Football Tournament was hosted at Arsenal Training Ground in Shenley on Wednesday 25 November. Eight teams took part including staff from Hertsmere Borough Council, the council's grounds maintenance contractors John O'Conner, Hertsmere Leisure, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and Hertfordshire Constabulary.
Each team raised sponsorship to take part in the tournament and an Arsenal shirt and football signed by all the Arsenal players were auctioned after play.

This is the second event of its kind and it's hoped it will continue to be an annual event.

Mayor of Hertsmere, Cllr Rosemary Gilligan, said: "It was a wonderful event and it was lovely to see so many teams from local authorities and companies taking part. The final figure raised will be around £1,600 which will be donated to my two chosen charities along with other monies raised during my year as mayor."

The finishing positions were:

1. Finesse Leisure, which provides leisure services in Welwyn Hatfield 2. Hertsmere Leisure (lost on penalties) 3. The Relics (Chief Executive of Hertsmere Borough Council, Donald Graham's team) 4. T-All Stars (T-Mobile and T-Systems) 5. Hertsmere Rangers (John O'Connor) 6. Hertsmere Borough Council 7. Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council 8. Hertfordshire Constabulary