RUGBY players can set aside a significant sum to help pay for improvements to their home ground after hosting a multi-sport festival at the weekend.

Terry Jones, vice chairman at Winnington Park, told the Guardian the inaugural Chester7s at Burrows Hill had been a success.

“We’ve raised a lot of money,” he said.

“We loved the idea when [organiser] Tom [King] approached us, and as a club we’ve supported him all the way through.

“He’s happy, and so are we – hopefully it can grow too.”

King had run three previous editions of the festival, which includes rugby union, hockey and netball, at Chester Rugby Club.

But a switch to Burrows Hill attracted the most entries to date.

A mixed touch rugby contest acted as a curtain-raiser on Friday evening before Saturday’s main event – a seven-a-side rugby tournament for semi-professional and elite players.

Separate competitions for club and social teams, both men and women, ran alongside.

Former England and Winnington Park legend Dewi Morris, who lives in Whitegate, presented trophies to the winners.

Jones said: “We reckon around 2,500 people passed through on Saturday, which is a huge figure.

“The feedback we’ve had so far is wholly positive; the teams enjoyed being close together on adjacent pitches.”

Park have asked planners at Chester West and Chester Council to approve a proposal to extend their clubhouse.

It includes a separate space for female players to change.

An indoor gym and training area for all the club’s members, as well as a first-floor balcony for spectators, also form part of the project.