Soldier, Soldier star Jerome Flynn brought the genius of legendary comedian Tommy Cooper to life on Sunday in front of a packed audience at Chippenham's Neeld Hall.

A full house of 340 people watched Jus' Like This, Mr Flynn's hit West End variety show based on the life of the bumbling magician who died in 1984.

The actor gave his services for free to help the Chippenham-based charity Kandu Arts in its aim of giving children in care an experience of a lifetime on the other side of the world.

Kandu needs to raise £35,500 to send up to 12 young people who have not had the privilege of a family life to New Zealand for two weeks. There, they will swim with dolphins and meet Maori people.

Mr Flynn is a friend of Kandu boss Ed Deedigan and has long been a supporter of the charity.

Sunday's show was a sell out, with most of the £15 tickets being snapped up days after they went on sale.

Mr Deedigan is delighted with the success of the show. He said: "It was brilliant. I had a good chat with Jerome yesterday. He has now gone back to his family's place in Wales but he really enjoyed it and we did as well.

"It takes a lot of time to organise and it was a fabulous success. The reports we have had from people generally contacting us have been brilliant and the people involved were brilliant."

Mr Deedigan said Mr Flynn was very aware of Kandu's work and has supported the charity for a long time.

"He has given up his time for nothing before," said Mr Deedigan. "He came to Wiltshire to work with young people and he will be coming with us to New Zealand.

"We have really, successful positive people around us and something like this initiative makes a terrific difference to young people in care, who are more likely to go to prison or end up working on the streets."

The New Zealand trip will follow on from a previous visit for youngsters in care, dubbed Dreamcatcher 1, to the USA. There they were involved in a cultural exchange with native Americans.

This year has been all about raising the money to make the New Zealand trip, Dreamcatcher 2, happen.

Other fundraising events include a series of debating nights at the Packhorse Inn and young bands will be performing regularly at the Neeld Hall.

Mr Deedigan: "We are trying to redress the balance. We will be showing them that there is a whole world out there and for them to believe in themselves.

"We will be exploring how other cultures make the best of their situation and compare and contrast this. It is about filling the gap in these young people who often feel insecure and unloved."

The charity is still looking for more sponsors to help fund the trip. Local businesses are being asked to help and will receive recognition in a magazine to be produced in the New Year by youngsters on issues concerning them such as drugs and adult life.

Anyone interested in helping should phone (01249) 444009.