The Portsmouth branch of the servicepeople's charity has just finished counting up the total raised in Portsmouth Central in this year's Appeal, and has raised £52,839.36.

Appeal organiser Louise Purcell said: 'We're absolutely delighted.

'Last year, the whole area collected a total of £50,000, so this amount has beaten that all on its own. We'd like to thank everyone for their generosity. It's a great early Christmas present to find out we've raised so much.'

The collection could have been higher, after three charity collection boxes went missing - presumed stolen - from locations at Portsmouth Carpets, St Mary's Church and Portsmouth Dockyard's Boat House Seven.

But Ms Purcell said: 'Even despite that, people have been very kind. It's been a hard year for everyone, so it means a lot that people have donated. We really appreciate it.'

The highest individual amounts collected in central Portsmouth were just under £11,000 from Asda and just over £7,000 from Gunwharf Quays.

Last year, central Portsmouth raised £40,000 of a total of £50,000 for the Appeal in the city.

Southsea, Portsmouth Dockyard and Hilsea's collections are still being counted.

>> Vote in our latest web poll.