A Malvern pub is raising funds for a unit that is caring for a former barman and regular customer.

Staff and fellow customers at the Bluebell Inn, on Guarlford Road, are holding a race night and raffle on Tuesday, February 8.

Proceeds will go to the Acquired Brain Injury Transition Unit in Ledbury.

Twenty-eight-year-old Chris Allen is staying at the unit after developing a malignant brain tumour 18 months ago.

A former pupil of The Chase, Chris completed a marketing degree at Middlesborough University, working at the pub during holidays.

He went on to become a recruitment consultant in Birmingham, before moving to First Personnel recruitment agency in Worcester, where he worked up until becoming ill.

"It was completely unexpected," said his father Derek Allen.

"He developed double vision in his left eye, and went to the optician's, but they couldn't find anything wrong."

Chris was eventually sent for a brain scan, which revealed the tumour.

Doctors said it is too deep to operate and prescribed a treatment of radiotherapy.

"Chris has been in and out of hospital," said Mr Allen.

"He had a bad reaction to the radiotherapy and has been ill because his immune system is so low.

"I found I couldn't care for him properly at home, so he is being looked after at the unit in Ledbury."

Mr Allen said he didn't know how his son's condition would develop and was taking things one day at a time.

"I go to visit him every day and I know he is being cared for very well at the unit," he said.

Mr Allen said he was grateful for the support from family and friends and the generosity of businesses that had donated prizes for the raffle.

Dawn Newcombe, landlady of the Bluebell, said: "We want to raise all the money we can for the unit. It's so small but it does such a good job.

"Brain tumours can happen to anyone, Chris was a young man who seemed perfectly healthy."

Money raised will go towards buying a hoist for the centre, to help move patients in and out of the bath.

The event begins at 8.30pm and admission is free. It costs £1 to back a horse and races can be sponsored for £10. Raffle tickets are on sale at the pub for £1 a strip. For further details, contact the Bluebell on 01684 575031.