Customers of a shop and a pub in the small village of Fownhope raised a magnificent £908 for the Charity Help For Heroes.

The owners of West End Stores were so impressed by the efforts of the four girls, who organised a ball at the Chase Hotel, and Joyce Thomas and Iris Price, who ran a charity shop to raise funds, that they decided to organise a collection in the store.

Jill Wargen of West End Stores told The Ross Gazette: "We are so grateful to all the customers of West End Stores who through donations, competitions and raffles raised a total of £653."

A further £255 was raised at the well organised celebration of the anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem at the New Inn.

Joyce Thomas accepted the cash on behalf of the charity. She said: "For a small community to have shown such goodwill and generosity is fantastic and shows the respect and appreciation villagers have for the Armed Forces.

"I am really proud to be associated with the West End Stores, the New Inn and all the villagers of Fownhope and thank them for their hard work."