ACTORS from television soap Emmerdale have been criticised by hospice fund-raisers for not paying their bar bill at a charity cricket match and dinner in Worcester.

The stars drank for free at New Road cricket ground and Worcester Racecourse, leaving St Richard's hospice to pick up the tab out of the £7,000 raised by the events.

The charity said that it was normal practice to provide hospitality for celebrities giving up their time to help good causes.

It has refused the say what the bill amounted to but a source did admit: "Let's just say they weren't drinking orange juice."

Two charity fund-raisers are dismayed by the actors' behaviour.

Mark Grooms, of Blakefield Road, St John's, has raised thousands of pounds for St Richard's and taking part in a charity walk on the day of the cricket match. He turned up at New Road just as the game was finishing.

He said: "It is a bit naughty. You would expect them to pay the bar bill. I can understand the dinner being paid for them, but drinks are always extra."

Another fund-raiser, who did not want to be named, said he was "disgusted" about the revelation.

He said: "I bought two tickets to the dinner, at £35 each, for my partner and I yet they failed to pay for their drinks. I find it disgusting that these people - who are on a lot more money than most - would do that, especially at a charity event. I thought my money was going to charity, whereas it went to buying them drink."

The St Richard's All Stars match on Sunday, Septem-ber 10, had Emmerdale actors - including Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard, Georgia Slowe (Perdita Hyde-Sinclair) and Chris Villiers (Grayson Sinclair) - pitting their wits against county cricketers and local celebrities.

Apart from the Twenty20 cricket match, there was a gala dinner in the Croft Suite at Worcester Racecourse the previous evening. This included a three-course meal and live music, plus an auction by Philip Serrell - who did not stay for the meal and bought his own drinks - and a talk by one of the Emmerdale guests.

St Richard's Hospice fund-raising manager Tricia Cavell said: "It was always understood, and is normal practice, to host guests when they are giving up their own time to help a charitable cause.

"We've had lots of people say how much they enjoyed the weekend."

Worcestershire County Cricket Club and Arena Leisure, which runs Worcester Racecourse declined to comment.

A spokesman for the Emmerdale press office said they were "standing by" the statement released by St Richard's Hospice.