A WARRINGTON businessman has made a four-legged donation to his favourite charity.

Horse racing enthusiast Dave Watson has donated Topinambour, a six-year-old gelding to humanitarian organisation The British Red Cross.

Topinambour will race over the next three years to raise cash for the charity, which helps vulnerable people in crisis across the world.

He will race in Red Cross colours and a percentage of his winnings will go towards the charity's humanitarian work in the UK and overseas.

Currently, the British Red Cross is helping those affected by the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East and it has launched an appeal to support the work of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in the area.

Mr Watson, a life long supporter of the Red Cross, said: "My father was a great believer in the Red Cross after seeing them in action during his military service. This is my way of remembering my dad and giving something back to a great organisation."

Karen Jones, senior fundraiser for Cheshire, British Red Cross, said: "We are very grateful to Dave and of course Topinambour. It's a very exciting initiative and something completely different - everyone in the Cheshire branch will be cheering him on."

Topinambour is stabled at Folly Farm Stables in Tarporley, part of Richard Ford Racing. He has raced 15 times in France and already has some wins under his belt, so there are high expectations.

It is hoped Topinambour will race at Aintree this November.