WHEN barmaid Sandy Davis got back on her feet after suffering a massive stroke in 2001, regulars at The Bush Inn vowed to thank her nurses in a special way.

The 61-year-old, who pulled pints at the Southampton pub for more than ten years, will now be the guest of honour at a huge party tomorrow.

Cash raised at the all-day event will go to Snowdon House, part of Ashurst Hospital in the New Forest, where the much-loved barmaid spent five months recovering after having five aneurysms removed from her brain.

"She's lucky to be here at all" said daughter Tracey Whiteford, who now works as a barmaid at The Bush Inn, Wimpson Lane, Maybush.

"We've got a lot to thank the nurses at Snowdon House for. They were amazing with her."

Grandmother Sandy added: "I'm fine now, thank you, and I'm looking forward to Sunday."

Tracey has organised the huge event at the pub, which begins with an "old regulars versus young regulars" football match at nearby sports fields.

Then it's back to the pub at midday, where party-goers can test out their rodeo skills on a "bucking bronco", tuck into a hog roast, compete in the table tennis competition or shoot some hoops in a giant inflatable basketball game.

A DJ will keep evening guests entertained and the raffle, which has a week's holiday in Spain as the top prize, will also be drawn.

Tracey said: "We want loads of people to come down and join in. We've already had £800 donated by regulars so we're hoping to raise at least a few thousand pounds for the hospital."