More than 1,000 golf balls rained down on a green in a charity golf challenge with a difference.

Rather than being hit one by one from a tee, the mass of balls were dropped 90ft from a helicopter hovering over a makeshift hole at the Cowdray Park Golf Club in Midhurst, West Sussex.

The event was organised by Portsmouth based Atlas Helicopters owner Mike Burns, who came up with the idea after being asked to raise money for the Treloar School in Hampshire, which provides education, care, therapy medical support and independence training to young people with physical disabilities.

Each ball was sold for £5 and, with spectators standing well clear, the white spheres crashed down to earth, with two landing in the hole.

The two winners received £250 each and £4,500 was raised for the school.

Captain Burns said: “We were delighted with the result, but more pleased with the money raised for such an important charity.”