A charity auction has raised more than £3,000 to help support people affected by cancer in west Dorset.

The third charity auction in aid of The Living Tree and Stepping Out cancer groups, based in Bridport, was held at The Ropemakers pub and has been hailed a great success by raising a total of £3,285.

The event, organised by avid fundraiser Roz Copson, was hosted by auctioneers, Simon Watson - of Lyme Bay Auctions - and Richard Payne-Withers - of Bridport Antiques.

The fundraiser also included a raffle, with a Christmas hamper as the top prize. This was won by Marcus Edwards and Sara Ellis of the Bridge House Hotel in Bridport for a second year so they decided to raffle the prize and raised an extra £100 for The Living Tree and Stepping Out.

Roz said: “It felt like a community event and everyone who packed into The Ropemakers really enjoyed the evening.

“I have thanked so many people for such a lot of help and it was indeed a team effort, from the day the idea came to me to handing over the cheque.

“So much fundraising is necessary these days and the people of Bridport and outlying villages never cease to amaze me at their generosity.

“When you have cancer, lots of niggling worries come into your head and you feel if you talk to your loved ones, you see the worry on their face and so you don’t want to give them something more to worry about.

“One of the wonderful things about The Living Tree and Stepping Out and other cancer support groups is that you can talk about your worry and somebody else will already have experiences something similar. So, by sharing it with them, the worries are no longer so obvious.

“Thank you very much once again to those who helped or contributed in any way, and as for next year, watch this space.”