PUB bosses stepped in to save a community event from being a wash-out.

Nigel and Sue Hedley, who run the Prospect Inn in Franchise Street, Weymouth, threw open the doors of their pub when rain threatened to ruin 50th anniversary celebrations for the nearby Chapelhay Heights flats.

Residents were due to hold a party outside the flats to celebrate the landmark buildings' half-century.

Kris Hallett, community development worker, said: "We stood there in the rain wondering what to do with the bunting.

"It was pouring and we were just about to cancel the whole thing when it was decided to approach Nigel and Sue at the pub across the road.

"They were only too happy to accommodate us and even let us put up decorations outside.

"We'd like to say a big thank- you to them because they were fantastic."

The event, which was attended by the Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Lynne Herbert and organised by the three area tenant representatives from Weymouth and Portland Housing, included stalls, games, music, a children's entertainer, a raffle with prizes donated by local shops and an exhibition featuring residents' memories of the area and pictures.

The exhibition will be on show at future tenant meetings.

Kris Hallett said: "Residents had the idea of organising a community event and later found out Chapelhay Heights had been up for 50 years so the flats became the focus of the celebrations.

"The area was heavily bombed during the Second World War and many buildings had to be demolished. The flats were erected in the 1950s as part of the government's extensive building programme."

Stephanie Taylor, an event organiser, said: "We hope it will become an annual celebration."

Chapelhay was named because an old chapel once stood in the area.