London City Mission fundraiser

Local secretary Sheila Prosser organised the event on Saturday morning and commented: "It has gone very well indeed - it was well supported by most of the local churches, and this year particularly there seemed to be much more support than ever, which was encouraging. We do feel very encouraged by this."

The coffee morning included a popular cake sale as well as bric-a-brac stalls and household goods, and Sheila said: "Everything was donated - the cake stall always goes like hot cakes, it is always well supported and and sought after...people queue up for the cake sale.

"Also a friend had grown organic leeks and they have all gone as well. It's all voluntary contributions."

Money raised by the event will go to the London City Mission in Tower Bridge Road which Sheila has been involved with for 16 years and is the Missionary Society's interdominational outreach in the capital, operating in a similar way to the Salvation Army in that it offers support to those in need.

Sheila added: "I worked for the Mission for nearly 30 years running their holiday and conference centre in Suffolk, so I got to know a lot of the missionaries. It was hard work but very rewarding - I enjoyed it."