PARTY-GOERS have helped Blackpool Pleasure Beach hand over hoardes of cash to the Fylde's newest charity - and this really is the big one.

With a staggering cheque notching up £18,000 for the Victoria Hospital's MRI scanner, the Big One Hundred birthday party is being hailed as a terrific success.

The party on the prom marked the fun park's centenary and thousands of revellers turned out to see top bands such as Boyzone and Upside Down.

Three weeks on from the party of the year, all the donations have been totted up to reveal the massive amount and fund-raising bosses are delighted.

Elaine Fossett, appeal co-ordinator, said: "This is wonderful news because we are now well over the £300,000 mark."

Ramesh Gandhi, director of fundraising at the hospital, said: "This brings us well on target for the £1.9 million we need for the scanner.

"It is great to see everyone in the community doing such wonderful things to raise the money."

Doris Thompson, who presented the cheque from the Pleasure Beach to the appeal, said: "I am very happy to be able to hand over this money - but I am still working on raising more."

Another community project by the Queendeans Association has raised £10,000 for the appeal.

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