Erlestoke landlady Sharon Elliott was so grateful to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance when her son was burned in an accident, she is organising an event to raise money for it.

Mrs Elliott took over running the George & Dragon pub from George and Sandy Coverly in May, having worked at the pub before that. The event, on August 6, is the first major fundraiser she has organised there.

She said: “My son, Daniel Hayward, was badly burned when a bonfire he was attending blew back in his face.

“If it wasn’t for the air ambulance he could have been badly scarred. It was the fact that they got him to hospital in such a quick time that saved him. He’s fine now. He’s back at work and he is none the worse for it.

“The air ambulance is something everyone wants to support.”

Mrs Elliott has got the services of five local bands, who have all agreed to play free of charge, and also plans to stage ferret racing, a bouncy castle and a beer and cider festival on the day.

The event will run from 4pm to midnight.

The George & Dragon has been a centre of the community for many years. When the post office across the road closed three years ago, the then licensees applied for it to be moved to the pub.

Sadly, it was not to be, but the George & Dragon continues as a community hub.

Mr and Mrs Coverly proved popular as licensees and Mrs Elliott and her husband, Steve, are carrying on the proud tradition.