A panto performance of Pinocchio featuring the local MP has raised thousands of pounds towards keeping a group of vulnerable adults together.

The Kingston Guardian is backing the charity appeal by Fircroft Trust to raise £1m towards a brand new home for people with learning disabilities on the site of the derelict White Hart pub in Hook.

Kingston and Surbiton MP Edward Davey took to the stage with the St Pauls Players in December donning a cape and moustache for his role as a barman.

Fircroft fundraiser Susannah Horwood said: "We took our residents and staff from Maple Lodge along. It was lovely.

"When I went to collect the cheque I thought it was going to be £2,500 but it was £3,500. It was absolutely amazing.

"I showed them the plans and they were so interested in it and so welcoming."

To start donating or for more details about the project visit thefircrofttrust.org/buildingpotential or call Fircroft on 020 8399 1772.

If you have any fundraising ideas call the Kingston Guardian on 0208 330 9547 or visit kingstonguardian/news/fircroftappeal - Fircroft Trust will hold a public consultation meeting tonight to show neighbours their plans for the former White Hart pub.

The pub closed down shortly after somebody was assaulted in the car park with a weapon.

The charity will build an eight-bedroom older persons unit, a four-bedroom younger persons unit, two three-bedroom flats for semi-independent living, and a two-bedroom flat.

There will also be staff key worker housing as well as parking spaces and a garden.

The 26 people living in its five properties in Surbiton will move in when the building is complete, if planning permission is granted.

Fundraiser Susannah Horwood said: "This is an opportunity for people to ask questions. The residents are wondering what is going to be there and they can find out about the charity.

"It will be nice for us to meet our neighbours."

The consultation meeting will take place at 7pm tonight at St Paul’s Church in Hook Road chaired by vicar Chris Hollingshurst.

The charity’s work with people with mental health problems will continue from Fircroft House in Ditton Road, Surbiton.