Ashton Fairfield's first cake sale in-aid of Dorothy House, who are supporting his terminally-ill father, met with a great response yesterday.

Friends and family volunteered to help the eight-year-old Mead Primary School student with his after-school fundraiser in the Hilperton site's hallwork drawing a crowd of around 200 people.

At the start of the sale, in-aid of Ashton's father, Thomas Fairfield, 32, who has cancer, Somerset Care presented him with a cheque for £100.

Mother Laura Fairfield, 30, who lives with Ashton in Paxcroft Mead, said: "We are all so happy, to see so many people here. It is very touching and I've had to hold back the tears."

As well as facing a future without his father, Ashton's grandfather Nigel Crew, 55, also died from cancer last year.

Ashton said: "Today's for my dad and my grandad and I'm so happy with how everything is going with the sale."

In support of Ashton's efforts, he'd received donations of cakes from Tesco and Budgens.

On Tuesday, he will be hosting a follow-up cake sale at Mead Primary School's Wingfield site which starts at 3.15pm.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to the next cake sale."

The total raised from the two cake sales will be tallied after Tuesday's event and donated to Dorothy House.