A KIND-hearted film maker and a Worcester shop joined forces to raise more than £9,000 for a branch of the Air Ambulance.

Gerry Anderson, the creator of Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and other television hits, joined staff from The Videodrome in Broad Street, at a memorabilia event at the NEC in Birmingham.

Mr Anderson, who did not charge a fee for his star appearance, signed photographs and items for fans, the proceeds of which were donated to the charity.

Staff from The Videodrome also gave their time free of charge for the two-day event.

It raised £9,270 for the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance, of which Mr Anderson is the patron.

Tim Evans, director of The Videodrome, was thrilled with the success of the event.

"In business, this is probably the thing that I feel most proud of," he said. "To do this for someone else makes you feel very warm inside."

Manufacturers also donated items for a prize draw.