Freemasons gave some at a Royal British Legion (RBL) dinner a pleasant surprise thanks to a donation.

The Ely RBL branch held its annual dinner at the city’s Masonic Hall on Silver Street on November 27, which also acted as a Christmas meal, too.

Ian Lindsay, president of the Ely RBL branch, said: “We usually have it just after Remembrance Day, but this year, it doubled up like a Christmas dinner.

“There was a mix of members from the RBL and some representatives from the Ely masonic lodges, and there were 38 diners altogether.”

Ely Standard: Ely's Royal British Legion branch received a donation of £700 which was rounded up to a total of £800 from freemasons.Ely's Royal British Legion branch received a donation of £700 which was rounded up to a total of £800 from freemasons. (Image: Mike Rouse)

Diners were treated to a four-course meal with coffee as part of the event.

But Mr Lindsay was pleasantly surprised as freemasons handed over a cheque to the Poppy Appeal for £700, which rounded up to £800.

A separate donation also went to the Ely branch.

Ely Standard: The Ely Royal British Legion branch held their annual dinner event at the city's Masonic Hall.The Ely Royal British Legion branch held their annual dinner event at the city's Masonic Hall. (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: The Ely Royal British Legion branch held their annual dinner event at the city's Masonic Hall.The Ely Royal British Legion branch held their annual dinner event at the city's Masonic Hall. (Image: Mike Rouse)

“It was a fantastic donation to have,” he added.

“In fact, I didn’t know it was coming so it was a surprise!”