WE bring you good tidings of joy. Kind-hearted readers have surpassed all expectations and raised an outstanding £7,500 for our fabulous Keep the Pamela May Afloat appeal.

In September, the Advertiser pledged to raise £5,000 for a charity canal boat and readers have plunged through this figure and raised a further £2,500.

Now, jubilant Pamela May volunteers have enough cash to cover running and maintenance costs on the narrowboat, based at Hanbury Wharf, for two summer seasons.

Bromsgrove businessman the late Bernard Clements set up the community scheme in 1995.

It runs twice daily canal excursions for sick, elderly and disabled Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa residents.

Trust funds were beginning to run into troubled waters, until your No.1 newspaper stepped in to save the day.

Our appeal kicked off with a £1,100 donation from the Worcestershire Contract Bridge Association and money was soon rolling in from every direction.

Pamela May skipper Peter Gross said: "The trust is overwhelmed by the warm-hearted and spontaneous generosity of clubs and individuals.

"The new funds guarantee the Pamela May will sail happily for two summers, continuing to please people whose horizons are limited.

"As the appeal closes, I'd like to thank everyone who helped raise this truly remarkable figure and the Advertiser for grasping our project with both hands."

Mr Clements's son, Ian, is one of three trustees.

He said: "Before the appeal there was a feeling of despair and without this money I had doubts we would keep going.

"The kindness of readers has given us all a boost and the confidence we can continue.

"I offer my heartfelt thanks to readers - the appeal has exceeded our wildest dreams."