A rugby match honouring a soldier who died ten years ago in Afghanistan raised more than £1,000 for charity.

East Anglian Daily Times: More than a thousand pounds was raised for charity Picture: SONYA DUNCANMore than a thousand pounds was raised for charity Picture: SONYA DUNCAN

Private Robert Hayes, a former player at Newmarket Rugby Club, was killed by an improvised explosive device in Helmand Province in 2010.

To mark a decade since his passing, his old club arranged a rugby match in aid of charity on Sunday - raising just under £1,200 in the process for the Royal Anglian Benevolent Charity.

A minute's silence was held before 45 players took part in the game, as nearly 200 spectators watched on.

Harvey Bell, club chairman and friend of Pte Hayes, said there was no shortage of people wishing to play Sunday's match.

East Anglian Daily Times: Players enter the field ahead of the match in memory of Private Robert Hayes Picture: SONYA DUNCANPlayers enter the field ahead of the match in memory of Private Robert Hayes Picture: SONYA DUNCAN

Mr Bell said: "Robert was a lovely guy. He was so passionate about life.

"So many people wanted to play in the game - people that knew him, people that didn't.

"Thank you to everyone who attended and played. We hope you enjoyed it."

East Anglian Daily Times: Players observe a minute of silence ahead of the game Picture: SONYA DUNCANPlayers observe a minute of silence ahead of the game Picture: SONYA DUNCAN

East Anglian Daily Times: Harvey Bell said there were many people wishing to play in the game Picture: SONYA DUNCANHarvey Bell said there were many people wishing to play in the game Picture: SONYA DUNCAN

East Anglian Daily Times: The action gets underway in Newmarket Picture: SONYA DUNCANThe action gets underway in Newmarket Picture: SONYA DUNCAN

East Anglian Daily Times: Private Robert Hayes died in Afghanistan in 2010 Picture: MINISTRY OF DEFENCEPrivate Robert Hayes died in Afghanistan in 2010 Picture: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Players from Newmarket Rugby Club attended the repatriation of Private Robert Hayes at RAF Lyneham, Wiltshire in 2010 Picture: Cpl Steve Blake RLC/MoD Crown Copyright/PA WirePlayers from Newmarket Rugby Club attended the repatriation of Private Robert Hayes at RAF Lyneham, Wiltshire in 2010 Picture: Cpl Steve Blake RLC/MoD Crown Copyright/PA Wire