FOR a year they did whatever they could - from the sublime to the ridiculous - in a bid to raise money.

Now BBC Radio Solent listeners have given a leading cancer charity in the south more than 350,000 reasons to be happy.

Yesterday station bosses held celebrations at the Hampshire Rose Bowl to mark the end of the Daisy Appeal, which raised £350,000 for the Wessex Cancer Trust.

The year-long campaign has allowed the charity to buy a respite chalet in Dorset, refurbish the chemotherapy unit at St Mary's Hospital in Newport, Isle of Wight, and buy a new gamma camera - which is able to pinpoint tumours more accurately - for Southampton General Hospital.

Wessex Cancer Trust chief executive Paul Herrington said that he was overwhelmed with the support the appeal had enjoyed.

He said: "Radio Solent approached us and asked if we had any projects that needed supporting.

"The next thing we knew we were their charity of the year, and a year later we have raised enough money to pay for three major projects. The support from everyone has just been absolutely fantastic."

Appeal coordinator Helena Harland praised the efforts of all involved.

She said: "From head shaves to treks overseas, our listeners have shown wonderful support in some unusual ways. The Daisy Appeal calendar was a huge success.

"We also had the Daisy Coach organised by Lucketts Travel and Bill and Ben - our two Daisy Minis - designed by Snows Motor Group. The support has been amazing."

She added that any extra funds received would be put towards a blood analysis machine for the Wessex Cancer Trust.

Radio Solent breakfast show host Julian Clegg added: "I can't thank people enough for their generosity. Raising £350,000 is an amazing feat."