A CHILDREN’S charity fundraiser officially declared The Old Vicarage, one of the oldest hotels and restaurants in Bridgwater, open.

Tom Winchester, who was nominated by the community, was joined by Bridgwater mayor Cllr Tony Heywood and his mayoress Lily Heywood, as well as owners Peter Starling and Candida Leaver.

The 19-year-old, who was nominated due to his fundraising efforts for the Above and Beyond charity for Bristol Children’s Hospital, said: “It was fantastic news when I found out I was nominated to help officially open The Old Vicarage and I really enjoyed cutting the ribbon, meeting everyone and seeing the new hotel and restaurant.

At the age of five and after many hospital appointments, Tom was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumour.

It was removed after diagnosis and results showed it was benign. When Tom was 15, he decided he wanted to give something back to the team that saved his life. He hosted numerous fundraising events including school discos, sponsored walks, a football match and a concert at the Town Hall.

Through these events he raised £6,300.

He is currently studying for his A-levels at Bridgwater and Taunton College and is aiming to reach £10,000 before he heads off to university.

“I am extremely grateful to everyone who nominated me and would like to say thank you to them. I will never be able to say thank you enough to the hospital and surgeon who saved my life, but I hope that my fundraising goes some way towards helping.

"I would like to donate my meal for two as a prize for my upcoming charity pub quiz.”

The Grade II listed Old Vicarage on St Mary Street dates back to 1327.

Peter and Candida are renovating the property section-by-section and have re-opened the restaurant, kitchen and some bedrooms.