AN event that has raised more than £45,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support fell victim to a weather forecast last Saturday.

Maggie and Bill Pumphrey have staged an annual fete in the garden of their Bicknoller home for the past 23 years, but the cancelled signs went up on the 2012 event just a couple of days before it was due to take place.

"The weather forecast was so awful that we knew we had no chance to put up the two marquees and three gazebos, as well as setting out the games and side shows," said Maggie.

On the day, the sun did actually shine and would-be fete-goers who had not heard about the cancellation were offered tea and cakes in the Pumphreys' garden.

But the couple and their stalwart band of helpers decided they could not miss out on the chance of boosting the funds of their favourite charity by the £3,000 the fete usually raises.

So they are putting on 'More Than Just a Coffee Morning' - an all day event in Bicknoller Village Hall on September 28.

Maggie admitted that she and her husband had almost gone into mourning over the cancellation of the fete.

"Apart from thinking about the £3,000 we had lost for Macmillan, I think we were miserable about losing our beloved fete," she said.

"It has become such a big part of our summer lives with all the preparation we have to do for many weeks beforehand."

The cakes baked for the fete have been frozen and the items collected for the many stalls and attractions, including bottles, raffle prizes and quality goods for 'Granny's Attic' have been stored in people's garages and sheds and will be brought out for the replacement fundraiser.

"It was our deepest regret that we had to cancel the fete for the first time in 23 years," said Maggie.

"But we are hoping to attract as many people as possible to our September event, which will run from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

"If the weather is fine we will even put a few side shows outside the village hall."