REGULARS at a Stourport pub have been celebrating after raising £100,000 for a charity that helps people who suffer from cancer.

Landlord of the King's Arms pub in Areley Kings, Brian Whetton, who lost his 32-year-old brother, Gordon, to the illness in 1986, joined his generous customers to mark the milestone.

Cancer Research UK's community fund-raiser, Sue Medcalf, also raised a glass to their amazing fund-raising efforts, which started 20 years ago, at the Redhouse Road pub.

Mr Whetton, whose father, Kenneth, also lost his life to cancer, said: "I suppose it did start off when I lost my brother but I am sure almost everyone in the world has been affected by the illness and that is why we do it. The sooner a cure is found the better it will be for everybody."

The kind-hearted customers helped organise and took part in a variety of events, including charity football matches at Stourport Swifts' Walshes Meadow Ground.

Their efforts have helped purchase vital equipment for work at Birmingham's Institute of Cancer Studies, including computers and blood separating machines.

Mr Whetton explained: "This achievement has got nothing to do with me. It is about the customers because they are the ones who have raised all this money over the years. They deserve all the recognition.

"I know me and my wife have taken time to organise events but if nobody supports them then they do not achieve anything."

Cancer Research UK's aim is to control the illness by looking into the causes, treatment and prevention.

Sue Medcalf, community fund-raiser for the charity, said: "We think this effort is nothing short of fantastic. Brian's regulars have hearts of gold and people all over the region feel the benefit of their generous spirits.

"They turn out every year for us. We rely almost entirely on donations to fund our lifesaving research, which is why support from the local community is vital to us."