16512/1THE community of Melksham has pulled together to raise more than £1,000 for the unborn baby of a man who died in a tragic accident.

Luke Wells, 19, of Melksham, and his father Mark, 40, of Seend Cleeve died when their tractor plunged into the Kennet and Avon canal near Pewsey in December.

About 200 people flocked to The Bear pub in Bath Road, on Saturday to raise money for the unborn baby of Luke's girlfriend of two years, Nicola Siekiera, 17.

She is expecting a baby boy and plans to call him Leo-Luke Mark in memory of his father and grandfather.

She joined the festivities in the pub, which started at 1pm with live music, sponsored head shaves and chest waxes, karaoke, jugglers and a buffet.

Landlady Carol Doble said: "It was something that the locals wanted to do so we went ahead. There was a brilliant atmosphere and everybody was here enjoying themselves all day."

Half the money will be given to Miss Siekiera straight away and the other half will be put into a trust fund for the baby.