£21 a minute is raised at Yapton event supporting troops

The massive support came at a fete for Help for Heroes jointly organised by Felpham man Michael Clayton.

Mr Clayton is still counting the takings but his initial estimates put them at more than 5,000.

Mr Clayton said: "The fete was a fantastic success and I'm very happy with it. The takings were more than I expected.

"There were many hundreds of people who came along. Some came from as far afield as Southampton."

Among those present were two soldiers in uniform. A couple of others went along in their civilian clothes.

Mr Clayton had moved the event from a private garden in Yapton to the village's King George V playing field because it had grown so much since he began planning it six months ago '“ with Rita Wallace '“ to assist Help for Heroes in its work of supporting troops injured fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.

His decision about the change of venue was justified as the scale of the success became apparent.

One of the reasons for the achievement was the presence of The Great Escape actor and 1960s singing star, John Leyton.

Local resident Mr Leyton was kept busy all afternoon talking to fans and signing autographs for them.

Mr Clayton said: "John was absolutely tremendous. People flocked to him. He made quite a bit of money for us."

But he was keen to stress the involvement of many other people who contributed to the occasion.

Semi-professional singer Stacey Turner provided some songs and acted as compere, estate agent Bob May's auctioneering turn got the crowds dipping into their pockets and former parish council chairman Michael Fellows also played a large part.

The Littlehampton Sea Cadets provided a uniformed presence as they played a selection of tunes.

Fellow services charity, Save Our Soldiers, set up a stall and encouraged some of those who went along to write messages of support to be sent to the soldiers on the front line.

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