A children's entertainer has raised money for an Alzheimer’s charity after being diagnosed with the condition himself.

Brian Walklett, who goes by the stage name Captain Stupid, has been making balloon figures for children at The New Vic in Weymouth on Saturdays to fundraise for the Alzheimer’s Society.

His balloon figures include Disney characters, toy swords and motorbikes.

Mr Walklett, who used to be a teaching assistant as well as doing his performance act, was himself recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

He has since retired, but is returning to his act to do his fundraising.

So far he has raised £600.

Elliot Fearns, manager of The New Vic, said that he was delighted with the success of the event.

He said: “Thank you to Captain Stupid for coming in and raising money for Alzheimer’s.”

The Alzheimer’s Society is a charity that offers support for people suffering with dementia and aims to help further research into the disease.

Dementia is now the UK’s biggest threats to health, and there are 850,000 people with the disease – this number is set to rise to one million by 2021.

A spokesperson for the charity said that funding was vital to fight the disease and support those with it.

She said: “Alzheimer’s Society will provide information and support to anyone who needs it, in the way they need it – combining local face-to-face support with telephone and online advice to help people navigate the maze of health and social care services.

“This service will be available to every single person at the point of diagnosis onwards so no-one has to face dementia alone.

“Alzheimer’s Society’s ambition, by 2022, is to reach out to everyone from the time of diagnosis to offer help, and deliver a universally accessible support and advice service.

“Alzheimer’s Society wants everyone affected by dementia to know that whoever you are, whatever you are going through, you can turn to them for support, help and advice.

“Until a cure is found, Alzheimer’s Society will strive to create a society where those affected by dementia are supported, accepted and able to live in their community without fear or prejudice.”

Mr Walklett sells the balloons to children on Saturdays from around 11am to 4pm at the The New Vic on The Esplanade, Weymouth.