ALMOST £13,000 has been raised so far this year by the Friends of Lydney Hospital who held their annual fete on Saturday.

The event was opened by Louis Turner and Adam James as a thank you to the hospital, PCSO Peter Timmins and the Great Western Air Ambulance for their life-saving work following a car accident in March.

Money raised by this fete will go towards providing a 'memory room' for people with dementia, said Friends chairman Mr Tony Midgley.

There was a wide range of entertainment for the large crowd throughout the afternoon including West of England champions Pillowell Silver Band, ukulele group 'Friends Uke-nited', as well as performances by the Severnbanks Cygnets cheerleaders and the Forest Oak Dog Training Club.

Off-duty nurses generously provided tea and home-made cakes, and staff on duty were seen wheeling in-patients around the fete to their obvious delight.

The Severn and Lydney Flower Club once again held their annual members' flower arranging competition; the club provided a large flower arrangement as a prize in the summer draw.

Chairman of the Friends of Lydney Hospital, Anthony Midgley said: "We sincerely thank all our supporters, and the people of Lydney and the Forest of Dean for their generosity and their ongoing contribution to the welfare of the hospital and its facilities.

"Without them, we could not achieve so much. It shows what an asset our hospital is and how much people care about our local health services and the continued existence of Lydney Hospital."

Over the last year the Friends have contributed £35,000 towards a major project, jointly funded with the NHS, to reconfigure and refurbish the reception area for the main inpatient wards, together with providing much-needed extra specialist equipment for the hospital.

Mr Midgley said: "It has made a huge difference and the patients, staff and visitors are all extremely grateful to all the people who have contributed through the fete and other ways."