REST home residents could not wait to meet Eastleigh mayor Jane Welsh and help send her charity appeal into overdrive.

The borough's first citizen popped into The Gables at Netley to support the home's fundraising day in aid of Wessex Cancer.

Proprietor Thelma Jackson said: "There has been great excitement and every day the ladies kept asking me when the mayor was coming. A lot of our residents don't go out and things like this means so much."

It was hoped the event, which included cream teas and a raffle, would raise around £200 for the mayor's annual collection.

The mayor's charity appeal has already swept past the £5,000 mark. Setting herself a target of £20,000 the borough's first citizen will share the money between three good causes - the Hedge End 2000 Centre, Hamble Inshore Rescue and the Combat Cancer Wessex Cancer Group.

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