VISITORS to Bishops Lydeard Mill helped boost a Taunton-based cancer charity.

Owner Charlie Back donated the receipts from entrance fees to charities, with Somerset Unit for Radiotherapy Equipment (SURE) being presented with £2,600.

Other donations to the Someset County Gazette-backed appeal to equip the Beacon Centre cancer unit at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital included £236 from Alan and Eve Jenkins of Wellington, who held a sausage sizzle at their home.

Collection pots totalled £8.75 at Winnies Bakery, Burnham; and £6.85 from The Crusty Cob, Burnham.

There were 5p coin collections of £12.50 from Bernard and Mary Spilsbury of Burnham; and £5 from Pat South, of Taunton.

Donations included £100 from Phyll Jewell, of Oake; £5 from Hazel Hughes; and £100 from Helen Batchelor as a thank you for treatment received.

Burnham and District Model Railway Club donated £595.79 following the sale of a model railway wagon; £40 came from Rowbarton Friendship Association; and there was £285.78 from St George's Church, Wilton, collected during their services on a recent Sunday.

The £390 from Juliana Prowse, from Bridgwater, was as a thank you for the treatment and kindness she received at the Beacon Centre, while there was £72.44 from Paul Besley, whose wife was helped at the Beacon Centre.

A gift of £85, including £35 in 5ps, was handed over by Norman Tomkies, of Street, and £279.39 from the Beacon Centre included £112.70 in 5ps.

The past week's total of £4822.40 means £562,570.94 has been raised since SURE linked up with the County Gazette.