Ref. 25780-100KATY Dean's dream of swimming with dolphins has come a step closer thanks to a fundraising day at the Liden Arms.

Regulars at the pub in Barrington Close, Liden aim to raise £7,000 to send Katy, 10, who is waiting for a life-saving liver transplant, on a dream holiday to Florida.

Pub managers Nick and Debbie Sharpe have already raised £600.

And they held a mini-fete at the pub, with stalls, a bouncy castle, live music and darts and pool competitions, which they were hoping would raise £1,500.

Mrs Sharpe, 37, said: "We need to raise £2,000 to get Katy and her mum to Florida and £5,000 to cover insurance for Katy."

Katy attended the fun day with her mum Tina and brother Billy, 12. Mrs Dean, 39, of Bideford Close, Park North, said: "We are hoping to go in early September.

"Katy is really looking forward to it. She loves dolphins and this is something she has always wanted to do. What the pub has done is wonderful."

Katy, who attends Goddard Park Primary School in Park North, needs a new liver if she is to survive into adulthood. When she was a year old, doctors discovered her liver was enlarged and not functioning properly.