A WEST Wight businessman has helped raise £1 million to build a new hospital following a star-studded concert in London.

John Caulcutt hosts the annual Towers Party at his home in Yarmouth over the last 56 years.

And this latest charity event which the entrepreneur organised had the backing of music legends Tom Jones, Eric Clapton, Mick Hucknall, Van Morrison, John Illsley, Paul Young and many others at the 02.

Money raised from the concert will go towards the £70 million cost of building a new cancer hospital which will be a sister hospital to the Royal Marsden.

John, the executive producer of the concert, said: "It was an incredible evening and it means we have now raised £61 million of our £70 million target. We hope to raise the rest of the money over the coming months through corporations, charitable trusts and individual sponsors.

"This state-of-the art hospital, the Oak Cancer Centre, will increase the Royal Marsden's existing capacity fourfold and will also house clinicians and a research department under one roof. It won't replace the Marsden, but will be an additional facility.

"Cancer affects us all in one way or the other and I know of several Island people who have been treated at the Royal Marsden. This new facility will benefit even more Island people.

"Many of the legends who appeared on the bill, including Gary Brooker who played at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival with Procol Harum and who has supported The Towers party for the last eight years, said they would willingly do it again."