Thousands of pounds have been raised at a comedy evening in memory of a much-loved Whitehaven man.

David Bailey died last June after having oesophageal cancer.

Following the 60-year-old’s death, his family organised a fundraiser at Whitehaven Golf Club in his memory.

The event, which featured three comedians and a pea and pie supper, raised £4,725 for the Northern Oesophago Gastric Cancer Fund.

Mr Bailey’s wife Joyce and daughters Lucy and Fran extended their thanks to everyone who attended and donated raffle prizes.

The family has presented a cheque to consultant upper GI surgeon Arul Immanuel and clinical nurse specialist Claire Sedgwick at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, where Mr Bailey was treated.

Mrs Bailey said: “The care given to David was absolutely wonderful and we wanted to show our appreciation by raising funds to help continue this work and help others.

"The presentation was made at this time as it would have been David’s birthday on March 13 and we wanted to mark the occasion in a positive way.”

Mr Immanuel said: “Support of this nature is used to enhance and support services and help medical and nursing staff maintain their high standards of treatment and care.”

Mr Bailey was also under the care of Dr Paul Mead, consultant renal physician at the West Cumberland Hospital and Cumberland Infirmary.

"The family say in recognition of the professional dedication and compassion Dr Mead gave to Mr Bailey and themselves, they will be donating £700 to support Renal care at the West Cumberland Hospital.

This was raised by Mr Bailey’s four great-nieces. They came up with the idea of a sponsored swim themselves and completed it at the Copeland Swimming Pool.

Mr Bailey was well known in the community as he was born and bred in Egremont before moving to Whitehaven with his wife.

He worked as a mechanical engineer at Sellafield for many years and latterly was self employed at the site.