BITTER disappointment turned to the taste of sweet success after a pub stepped in to help a charity let down following the cancellation of Worcester Carnival.

Hundreds of people packed out The New Inn, Claines, on Sunday to show support for Headway Worcestershire, a charity which supports people with acquired brain injuries.

Money was going to be raised during Worcester Carnival for Headway and HelpGeorgie but the plug was pulled on the event just four days before it was due to go ahead.

The charities only discovered it had been cancelled through Facebook after Headway's clients and volunteers had also spent months creating Willy Wonka-inspired items for their float.

But their hard work and preparations did not go to waste as Keith Newby, landlord of the New Inn, decorated the pub and its gardens with their props and held a fun day for the charity.

Over 800 people packed out the pub and enjoyed a barbecue, live music, raffle, inflatable slide and Oompa Loompa face painting.

Julia Protesaru, from Headway, said: "We were extremely pleased to see all the support from the community. "Turnout was fantastic and everybody enjoyed themselves.

"After the announcement of the cancellation of the carnival we were all pretty sad and disappointed, but the barbecue bash turned out to be a fantastic day.

"Our staff and volunteers decorated the pub and the garden early that day and Willy Wonka’s land was ready to entertain the families.

"We will be forever grateful to Keith and the staff at the New Inn in Claines for their effort on the day.

"The barbecue, the bouncy castle and the live band brought a great amount of people there, which is what we needed to increase awareness of our charity, an important goal set initially for the carnival.

"Now many people know of Headway and the more we inform on our cause, the better the chances are we will manage to get to those in need earlier."

Mr Newby said it was a brilliant day and paid tribute to his staff who worked tirelessly while the pub was packed.

"It was fantastic.

"To say we were busy is an understatement - Worcester came out in force to support Headway even with the rain.

"What happened to Headway was terrible but their hard work and the volunteers efforts weren't wasted at all.

"We haven't got a final figure yet but £1,000 was raised on the barbecue alone and I'm confident we'll be able to raise £5,000 for them by Christmas."