Holsworthy Amateur Theatrical Society (HATS) has donated the takings from all tickets sold on the first night of this year's panto, Babes in the Woods, to the North Devon Hospice's Long House Appeal.

Phil Barfett, director of the pantomime and Ian Croxton, HATS chairman, presented the cheque for £624 to Jenny Richardson, the community and events fundraiser for the North Devon Hospice.

Ian said: "We are delighted to be able to help North Devon Hospice with their fundraising.

"The Long House will be a great community asset to many people in North Devon, and we are proud that the building will be right here, in Holsworthy."

Jenny Richardson said: "We have now exceeded our original target of a £75,000 community contribution towards the Long House, thanks to community groups like HATS and individual donations. We're also on target to open the Long House in the summer this year."

The Long House will offer a range of services for people with cancer and their families and is currently under construction in Dobles Lane, Holsworthy, next to the Holsworthy Medical Centre.