A 24-HOUR drum marathon and sponsored head shave were staged to help cancer sufferers.

They were among a host of activities held at The Salvation Army Hall in Weymouth that raised £2,500 for West Dorset Breast Cancer Care and the chemotherapy unit at Dorset County Hospital.

Cancer patient Margaret Sherratt - who is a drummer with the Salvation Army Band - organised the series of events, which included a coffee morning and fete.

Margaret, 41, of Stavordale Road, Weymouth, said: "I wanted to raise money to help other cancer patients and expected to raise £1,000 so this figure was fantastic.

"Sixteen people took part in the drum marathon and I would like to thank Stylish Solutions for printing our T-shirts. Andy Crawford is in the Salvation Army too and raised £400 by having his head shaved."

The funds were given a £500 boost by the Weymouth firm Beacon Financial Solutions.