A TEAM of jewellery specialists have set an ambitious £70,000 fundraising target to help The Royal Berkshire Hospital.

Members of Jacobs Jewellers are celebrating their 70th anniversary by supporting the hospital in 2018 with a series of challenges to raise cash.

It is hoped that the money will be used to help purchase a new radiotherapy machine for the cancer centre.

Adam Jacobs, co-owner, said: “It has been a busy start to the year and we are delighted to have made progress towards our target.

"The response we have had from the community, especially customers has been heart-warming."

This week saw the first of four planned charity raffles, with a further three draws scheduled before the end of January 2019.

The centrepiece event for the year of will be a gala ball at Reading's Hilton Hotel.