Café owner Alice O’Brien is raising money for a servicemen’s charity inspired by her partner who is serving in Afghanistan.

Miss O’Brien, 19, who runs the Caen Hill Café by the Kennet and Avon Canal in Devizes, dressed up together with her staff last Friday and raised more than £500 for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust.

The money was raised through her takings that day, a raffle and a bring and buy sale.

Although not the peak season for the café, Miss O’Brien was delighted with the support from customers.

She said: “There was a really nice atmosphere in the café. I did coffee and cake at a recommended price of £3.50 and I was really pleased with how much we raised.”

Miss O’Brien’s partner, Adam Bentley, 21, is serving with 40 Commando Royal Marines in Afghanistan.

He deployed in September and will be returning to Devizes next week for a ten-day break after which he will return to finish his tour until April.

Miss O’Brien and Mr Bentley have been together for three and a half years and both went to Devizes School.

Miss O’Brien said she speaks to Mr Bentley on the phone about once a week and they email each other.

She said: “It’s really hard him being over there. I worry about him all the time. He is okay.

“I wanted to raise money for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust so that he knows I am doing something to help.

“The trust do a lot for Marines who have been injured and it’s a really good charity.”

The charity helps wounded and injured Royal Marines and those still serving and facing successive tours in high threat environments.

The trust provides adventure training for those returning from operations, funds homecoming events and finances memorials.

Miss O Brien took over the Caen Hill Café earlier this year and said it had been a very good first year.

She will continue to collect donations for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust through December.