The first Community Festival Weekend organised by the Portsmouth pub was a far bigger hit than expected, and organisers think they are likely to have generated a mighty £10,000 for cancer charities.

The weekend entertainment included local bands, a motorbike show, stalls, a barbecue and a bouncy castle.

Simon Hughes, landlord of the pub in Kingston Crescent, said: 'We had at least 1,000 people come on Saturday – we were only expecting about half that many to turn up.

'It's surprised us just how popular it was.'

The idea for the event came when Mr Hughes's friend Mandy Sharp, 43, was diagnosed with breast cancer that spread to her liver and brain.

That served as the inspiration for the event, which took place at the pub at the neighbouring Technopole car park, to raise money for a host of charities. The proceeds will be shared equally between Breast Cancer Care, Macmillan Nurses, Prostate Cancer Awareness and Naomi House Children's Hospice in Winchester.

Landlady Karen Hughes said: 'Everyone has enjoyed themselves and saying they want to do it again next year, so it looks like we probably will.

'It's been hard work, but worth it and everyone helping has been great. Even the kids have been really good.'