COMMUNITY leaders are celebrating after being handed a fundraising boost worth more than £1,500 - by their local pub.

The Westham COPS (Community Orientated Problem Solving) group was given the cash by bosses at the Rock Hotel.

The money will go towards more local improvements to benefit residents living on the Weymouth estate.

Weymouth and Portland community development officer Julie Hursthouse praised the effort.

She said: "I'd like to congratulate Dave Hampton from the Rock Hotel for the tremendous efforts he and his staff have made towards fundraising for the Westham community.

"It's fantastic to see local businesses support local community groups."

Westham COPS, a neighbourhood group set up to celebrate living in Westham, is an initiative supported by lottery funding and local government.

Previous projects overseen by the organisation include improvements to the Rodwell Trail and the Westham 125 anniversary celebrations.

Chairman Chris Edwards said he was grateful to Mr Hampton for making a commitment to the local community'.

"He and has staff have, through hard work and innovative ideas, ensured the Rock Hotel is once again at the centre of Westham," he said.

"The money raised will be used to further benefit the residents of Westham."

The final total of £1,558 - raised since the pub opened last July - was generated through various fundraising efforts.

Staff started a rock-ette' scheme that sees punters signing small pebbles and sticking them on the wall at the Abbotsbury Road pub, raising hundreds of pounds.

And nearly £500 came from participants and raffles associated with the recent Rockstar competition, held over the last few months.

The contest, supported by local firms including Weyline, The Window Man, Perfect Portrait Company, Perfectly Developed and Carpets Galore, saw budding pop singers battling it out.

Staff from hair salon Blondz and The Party Shop in Abbotsbury Road were on hand to transform the musical hopefuls into superstars including Amy Winehouse and Elton John.

The winner of the Rockstar competition was Leanne Warne, from Weymouth, who impersonated pop goddess Christina Aguilera.

Some of the finalists proved so impressive they have secured contracts with a local management company and will soon be performing their own gigs.

Mr Hampton added: "The standard of performances was very high and we managed to raise lots of money for a very worthy cause."