A Norfolk hospital has been given the tonic of a cash boost from the local mayor.

Eastern Daily Press: Hospital Friends' chairman Keith Jarvis receives the civic appeal cash from outgoing mayor Barry Hester. Picture: Richard BatsonHospital Friends' chairman Keith Jarvis receives the civic appeal cash from outgoing mayor Barry Hester. Picture: Richard Batson (Image: Archant)

North Walsham's outgoing mayor Barry Hester made the town's hospital Friends his civic charity of the year.

And after a successful series of events he handed over £4221.02, more than twice the £2000 target he set himself for his year of office, which ended in May.

The fund was boosted by donations and money-raising events from across the community, including cinema and fireworks on the park, a 24-hour pools marathon, bike and trike weekend, civic dinner, donated shoes sold on market stalls and in the Kitale charity shop, and a comedy night which starred TV funnyman Hal Cruttenden.

Mr Hester handed the cash over to Friends chairman Keith Jarvis at the North Walsham War Memorial Hospital. He said: "A lot of people were happy to help because they want to support the hospital."