CELEBRITY golfers were swinging into action in Winchester today with stars of sport and comedy lining up to tee-off for charity.

The event will benefit SPARKS, which stands for Sport Aiding Medical Research of Kids.

Staff at the South Winchester Golf Course were hoping for a record amount of cash to be collected this year, with several thousand pounds expected to have been raised by the end of the day.

The event, called the Sir Henry Cooper OBE Celebrity Golf Classic, was due to see more than 30 well-known personalities battle it out over the Romsey Road course's 18 holes before a gala dinner this evening.

Those booked to take part included Sir Henry himself and actors Dennis Waterman, Tim Brooke Taylor, Robert Powell and Ian Lavender.

Entertainer Johnny Ball was due to line up alongside television personality Tiff Needell and former Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan.

Sports commentators Jimmy Hill, Dickie Davis and Tony Gubba were also due to play as was England goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence.

Saints fans will also be pleased that legendary star Matt Le Tissier and former manager Alan Ball were primed to play a round.

Other celebrities also trying to avoid a bogey were comedians Bobby Davro, Kenny Lynch, Bernard Cribbins and Ed Stewart.

Teeing-off times started from 9am with the players due to finish the last round shortly before 5pm. An evening event will also be staged, including an auction headed-up by former boxer John Conteh.

SPARKS started in 1991 as a way of raising funding for research into childhood diseases.

Since 1991 it has funded 132 medical projects in the UK, committing £9m to tackle conditions as diverse as cerebral palsy, meningitis, the dangers of premature birth, spina bifida, childhood arthritis and cancers.

A spokesman for the club said: "We are hoping that the day will once again raise a substantial amount for the charity.

"With a bit of luck, the weather will stay dry and the golf will also be good."