GENEROUS regulars at an Andover pub have raised more than £5,000 in the last year for good causes.

The Foresters Arms in London Street has hosted a whole raft of events including horse and pig racing, waxing and monthly ladies’ evenings to raise a total of £5,205 for various charities.

A few of the men, calling themselves the Foresters Fatties, even collected £1,570 for their moustache growing efforts in Movember.

Publicans Anne and David Watkins thanked their customers for their support, help and encouragement in making each of the events so successful.

Anne said: “Personally I find it easy to organise events, but it’s the people who are financially supporting it who need to be thanked.

“It’s just a small pub and the support and enthusiasm we get is fantastic.

“It’s quite funny when customers buy a pint and say ‘and how much extra is it going to cost me?’

“This year we are supporting Hampshire Search and Rescue Dogs and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

“Andover is a small community, but with the right amount of support we can make a difference and where else to do that but at a local pub?”

Those who have benefitted from the pub include children’s charity Dreams Come True which provides once in a lifetime holidays for children that are terminally ill, as well as the Movember Foundation, Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, Icknield Special School, the Countess of Brecknock, Olly’s Rainbows, Sunny Days and Race for Life.

The pub’s monthly ladies’ nights, which take place on the first Tuesday of each month, are, this year, raising money for Andover Stroke Group and for Andover Cancer. The next event takes place at the pub on Tuesday, March 1.

Anne added: “The evenings have different themes, whether it’s Anne Summers, the Body Shop, candles or perfumes.

“The next one will be a horse racing evening which is a really good laugh.”