RUGBY legend Brian O'Driscoll helped raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity when he was the star of the tenth York Sportsman's Lunch.

The former Ireland and British & Irish Lions centre talked to an audience of 680 people at York Racecourse - regaling listeners with stories from his stellar career.

The event, which has raised more than £600,000 for charitable causes since New Zealand's Sean FitzPatrick addressed the first in 2005, has seen a procession of international rugby stars host the lunch.

Previous speakers have included England rugby captains Lawrence Dallaglio, and Martin Johnson, Springbok World Cup winner Francois Pienaar and Aussie legend David Campese.

Causes to benefit this time included the Sports Development Foundation and The Yorkshire Regiment Benevolent Fund.

“Getting such an A-list sports star as Brian to agree to speak during his first season in retirement has been a great coup, and ticket sales were brisk with such a well-respected sportsman hosting the event,” said Nick Elliot, of Sporting Connexions, the company which started the event.

Mark Pepper, co-founder of Sporting Connexions, added: "The continued support of local business people has been fantastic, especially Steve Davis of main sponsor Grantside Developments, and this is the eighth year Grantside have been the cornerstone supporter of the event."