A PUB is preparing to hold a series of fund-raising events to support a poorly little girl.

Regulars at the Merry England pub, Great Harwood, plan to support 18-month-old Charley Holden as much as they can.

Charley suffers from a heart defect called Tritology of Fallot and has already undergone two minor operations in an attempt to cure her of the condition, which has left her with a hole in her heart and a narrow vein.

Her parents, Dean and Dawn, of Croft Street, Great Harwood, are now preparing for their daughter to have two operations -- the most serious of which is open-heart surgery, which should fix the hole in her heart.

She will also under go an operation known as a shunt, which should open up the narrow vein and allow the blood to circulate more freely around her heart.

The family are still waiting for a date but have been told it will be in the next few months.

But despite regular visits to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, and with two exploratory operations behind her, Charley seems just like any other, normal, happy child.

Dean said: "The pub and the people there have been great.

"They held a Mr and Mrs night last month which raised several hundred pounds and now a big summer fun day is being planned along with other things.

"We want to donate the money to Alder Hey as a thank you for everything they have done."

Some of the money will also go to the Ronald McDonald house, which provides accommodation for parents of children at Alder Hey.