A COMMUNITY hospital marked 20 years of success with a celebration fete.

The celebration took place at Bridport Community Hospital on Saturday, which replaced the old Cottage Hospital on Allington Hill and Port Bredy in Barrack Street, 20 years ago.

The new hospital was built on the site of an old isolation hospital.

The event, organised by the League of Friends of Bridport Community Hospital, raised funding that will go towards diagnosis equipment.

Due to heavy rain early on in the day, the fete took place inside the hospital reception area, physiotherapy department and along a wide corridor, known as The Street.

Stalls along The Street included a tombola, human fruit machine, jewellery, white elephant, catching ducks in a paddling pool and home baking with lots of cakes and pies.

The physiotherapy department organised a hoopla and name a skeleton game, while Bridport Model Railway Club provided a drive your own Thomas the Tank Engine layout. Entertainment was provided by Fees Jeanes Toddlers Ballet and acapella singers Wild Tyme, as well as music from the St. Swithun's band in the courtyard.

A car boot sale took place in the Greenfield unit car park while a fun dog show was held at the amenity field on Allington Hill with a range of entries in each class.

Heather Purse, chairman of the League of Friends of Bridport Community Hospital, said: "Thank you to all who came and supported the league of friends and to those who generously gave up time to help run the day.

"Together, with donations on the day, we raised more than £750 for the League of Friends of Bridport Community Hospital to help with patient diagnosis equipment, care and welfare beyond that which the NHS can supply."

She added: "Thanks go to Grayham Rosamond from Bridport Dog Training for his advice, PA system and commentary, to Izzy Buchannan who specialises in dog behaviour as our judge, to the Allington Hill Billies for use of the the gazebo and to all those who helped mark out the ring, erect and dismantle the tent.

"The dog show, thanks to a generous donation of the rosettes from Carpet World, West Street, raised over £100 for the Bridport Hospital League of Friends."

The Matron's daughter, Verity Turner, called out the raffle prize winners who took home donated prizes including a hamper from Morrison's, a bottle of wine from Co-op, several swim tickets from Bridport Leisure Centre and ice cream vouchers from Margaret Grundell's kiosk at West Bay.