FARNHAM Rugby Club has expressed its delight that the ultimate rugby prize, the William Webb Ellis Rugby World Cup, will be coming to the town.

It will be making an appearance at the club's Wrecclesham base on Saturday, March 27, as part of a tour of regional clubs.

Hopes that local hero Jonny Wilkinson might appear with the cup which he helped win are high, but this has yet to be confirmed.

The event coincides with a crucial England v France Six Nations match. Rugby club members will be able to watch the game on a huge screen, as happened during the World Cup.

Andrew Rubio, treasurer of Farnham Rugby Club, believed it would be another fantastic occasion.

He said: "This is enormous for us with the connections we have through Jonny. It will be a great experience for both children at the club and adults, too."

He explained young players will have the opportunity to have their photographs taken with the cup. Donations offered from this event are being given to the Wooden Spoon charity which helps underprivileged children.

The club is holding a lunch at Farnham Castle on March 19 in order to raise interest in its planned move to Monkton Lane.

Waverley borough councillors will make a site visit to examine the development's potential impact on the area. A final decision on the plans, which have received a mixed response from residents, is expected at the end of this month.

On Saturday, March 20, South West Surrey MP Virginia Bottomley will be taking part in a special match between a parliamentarians side and a selected senior Farnham team. Mr Rubio added that the game was also likely to feature the seventies Welsh rugby star, JPR Williams.