It costs £10,000 every year to put on Helston Flora Day and now a business from the town has given its support to the fundraising.

Amy and Sean Hailwood, owners of Henlys Bar & Restaurant, have raised £525 towards those costs by holding two events, and said they would be doing “much more” next year.

Amy said she “could not believe it” when she found out how much money was needed to hold Flora Day each year – raised entirely through donations - with it being spent on health and safety, security, traffic management, St John Ambulance and insurances.

The Flora Day Association pays for the road closures and also shares the cost of testing the hanging points for the flags with Helston Christmas Lights Committee. In 2017 it spent £5,000 replacing the flags in Meneage Street and Coinagehall Street.

Amy said: “We’ll definitely strive to do more now we know.”

Henlys raised the money by putting on a VIP area upstairs in the bar on Flora Day and donating £5 from each £15 ticket sale, which raised £300.

A quiz held last week raised a further £225 through entry fees.

“We were so, so busy, as soon as everyone knew we were doing it for the Flora Day Association,” added Amy.

The money has now been presented to Flora Day secretary Nick Wills and chairman of the stewards John Eddy.

Nick said: “One thing we’re really proud of is that Flora Day isn’t commercial and it’s on the back of people’s generosity - it’s a town event.”

He thanked Amy and Sean for their donation, adding: “It’s amazing what you have done so far.”

As well as vowing to raise more money themselves in the run up to next year, Amy said she would also be suggesting to Helston Pub Watch members that fundraising was carried out between all the town’s pubs.

“We make so much money from those two days and if Flora Day didn’t continue – well, it’s in our best interest to preserve it and keep it going from strength to strength,” she said.