ROSE Webster of Spirit ladies' fashion shop in Old Swan Yard, Devizes, has expressed her gratitude to townspeople and businesses after her fashion show at the Corn Exchange raised £1,600 to help her ten-year-old nephew who is paralysed from the chest down.

William Rowden, the son of Mrs Webster's sister, suffered a rare spinal bleed while on holiday two years ago and is unlikely ever to walk again.

Because his condition was not caused by medical intervention, he will never get any compensation and his parents are responsible for his expenses, which are enormous.

William's family set up the William Rowden Charitable Trust to support him and last week it benefited from the most successful fashion show Mrs Webster has ever organised.

She said: "While Spirit provided the clothes, a stunning array of hats from Joan Pressley was also shown.

"As ever, the children's section stole the show with clothes from Tesco, Mackays and Phillip Robinson menswear, of Devizes, and Monsoon of Marlborough."

Mrs Webster says there are still several unclaimed raffle prizes which can be claimed from Spirit on production of the winning tickets. Otherwise they will be re-raffled on May 25.

She said: "We have raised this tremendous amount of money for William, which will go towards purchasing specialist equipment to improve the quality of his life. He is a lovely boy and is coping very well with his disability.

"The huge public support has made this the most successful fashion show we have organised to date."