ST Margaret's Hospice raised a record amount from its sell-out Rod Stewart concert held at the County Cricket Ground, Taunton, in June.

Around 18,000 fans helped to raise around £150,000 in what the hospice described as its biggest ever fundraiser.

St Margaret’s Chief Executive Jon Andrewes said: “We have spent the last few weeks completing all the final calculations and I’m delighted to announce that this single event has brought in a record amount.

“Looking back, the concert couldn’t have gone any better! The atmosphere was fantastic, Rod Stewart gave a fabulous performance and even the weather was warm and dry. Plus, of course, we brought in a substantial sum to support our work.”

St Margaret’s is the fourth largest hospice in the country and provides specialist care to 3,200 patients a year with progressive, life limiting illnesses in Somerset. Services include two inpatient units, day hospice centres and community hospice services supporting people in their own homes.

It costs more than £27,000 a day, or £10 million a year, to run the charity and relies on its shops, donations and fundraising activity to be successful.

The concert was the brainchild of St Margaret’s Clinical Director Ann Lee, who plans to follow up on the success of the Rod Stewart concert.

“This one evening was nearly two years in the making and has brought in a fantastic and much needed sum towards our running costs. It’s also helped us to tell more people about what we do and demystify hospice care.”

She added: “People are already asking us how we’re going to top Rod Stewart. All I can say is ‘watch this space!’”