Kind-hearted regulars turned out in force at an Exeter pub to help give an adopted six-year-old disabled girl a taste of independence.

Katie Miller, who is blind and has cerebral palsy, developed her disabilities when she was struck down with meningococcal septicaemia. She needs a specially-adapted tricycle which her adoptive parents say would give her more freedom.

So Katie's brother-in-law, Dave Wells, rallied around with his drinking mates to organise a giant fun day at the Wonford Inn.

He co-ordinated the event with colleagues from the Wonford Green Lodge of the Royal Antidiluvian Order of the Buffaloes, a group of fundraisers who meet regularly at the pub. They managed to raise around £750 - £100 over their fundraising target.

Dave, 42, of Burnthouse Lane, said: "Katie loves riding a tricycle which she currently borrows from her school, but she has to share it with other pupils.

"She gets really unhappy when it's taken away. Her adoptive parents, Jenny and Roger Miller, were strapped for cash so we tried to raise some money to pay for a tricycle."

The youngster's parent, who are full-time carers, are delighted with the response of the Wonford community in helping Katie.

Roger said: "This is really nice for us - particularly since we only moved here a few months ago. We are overwhelmed by the level of support received from the local people in this area."

His wife, Jenny, added: "The kids in Wonford are always coming around to our house wanting to play with Katie. They really make a fuss of her."

The new tricycle would eventually be given to Katie's school after she has outgrown it.

Used courtesy of the Exeter Express and Echo