A widower has raised more than £50,000 for patients at a Norfolk hospital.

Just before she lost her battle with cancer, Gavin English's wife Frances asked him to sell her clothes to give something back to the Macmillan Cancer Care and Treatment Fund at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in King's Lynn.

Since then 81-year-old Mr English, who comes from Docking, has been selling clothes at car boot sales and running fund raising stalls at supermarkets.

Acting chairman David Thomason has presented Mr English with a certificate to mark this incredible achievement.

Mr English said: 'To make this amount of money is incredible. The thing I am most proud of is that not a single penny goes on expenses or administration – it all goes to the hospital.

'I am pleased to have raised more than £50,000 but I never set myself a target. I have noticed that the fundraising total doesn't creep up, it leaps up.

'People are incredibly generous in their support and donations. One thing I have noticed is that this charity belongs to the people as much as it is mine.

'Frances was the inspiration for this charity as she wanted me to sell her clothes.'

Mr English began raising money for the hospital just a few months after Frances had lost her battle to cancer at the age of 77, in September 2013.

So far this year he has attended 270 car boot sales and carried out 110 supermarket days. He also has a busy run-up to Christmas with another 15 collection days at supermarkets planned.

He has also penned two books about their time together, entitled The Last Waltz and The Last Waltz – The Sequel, with all proceeds also going to the Hospital.

Mr Thomason said: 'We would like to thank Gavin and all of the people in west Norfolk, Fenland and north Norfolk for their generous support.

'To raise £50,000 is an incredible achievement but to do this in such a short space of time is astounding.

'It is wonderful that a local person, like Gavin, is supporting the local hospital for the benefit of the local community.'