A HAMPSHIRE pub has raised £1,000 towards the cost of refurbishing Hythe Pier and its 99-year-electric railway.

The Lord Nelson at High Street, Hythe, is only a short walk from the 140-year-old pier, the seventh longest in the British Isles.

Publican Leighton O’Hara presented the cheque to members of the Hythe Pier Heritage Association (HPHA).

It follows the success of the recent Rock the Pier event, the first to be held in the village since 2019.

HPHA chairman Anthony Smith thanked the pub for its continued support of events held to fund repairs to the Grade II-listed building.

Leighton said: “On behalf of everyone connected with the Lord Nelson, I'd like to say how amazing Rock the Pier was, with great bands and compere Byron lifting the spirits of everyone after such a tough year.

"The Lord Nelson has chosen to donate £1,000 to such a worthy cause and looks forward to next year’s event."

The presentation was attended by HPHA members Tina Brown, Garry Brown and Alan Titheridge, plus Cllr Allan Fairhead.

Earlier this year a major fundraising campaign netted £41,000 for the Hythe Ferry, which operates from the 700-yard pier.

The campaign was launched by Hythe resident Ashleigh Mutimear. She sprang into action after operator Blue Funnel Ferries announced it had run out of money following the pandemic, which left it starved of income.

In a message to everyone who backed the appeal Ashleigh said: "I'm so grateful to each and every one of you."