FORMER athlete and broadcaster Steve Cram was guest of honour at the 50th anniversary dinner of the York Institute of Chartered Accountants.

The Institute's golden anniversary was celebrated with a black-tie event, which also welcomed the deputy president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales (ICAEW) Andrew Ratcliff.

Held at York Racecourse, the dinner saw the presentation of the York ICAEW student Advanced stage award for 2014.

The prize, sponsored by Hays, was awarded to Alexandra Hazlerigg, from accountancy firm Sagars, with Christopher Land from JWP Creers winning second place.

The after dinner speech was give by the former World, Olympic, European and Commonwealth medallist Steve Cram, who was a three time World Record holder during his career.

John Flynn, president of the York Institute of Chartered Accountants, and financial controller for Barratt Developments, said: "It was an excellent night held at York Race course, with first class food, live music from Route Five and a magician.

"There were inspirational speeches from both Andrew Ratcliffe, and Steve Cram, a British icon recognised as one of the finest athletes of his generation.

"Well-deserved awards given to Alexandra Hazlerigg and Christopher Land for their ICAEW advance stage exam performance.

"A big thank you also to our event sponsors Begbies Traynor, Lupton Fawcett Denison Till, Hays and Yorkshire Bank."

The evening successfully raised more than £1500 for Macmillian cancer support, due to donations of raffle prizes from numerous local companies.