A toddler battling cancer had a big birthday party following a week of intense chemotherapy.

Elliot Nutley turned three on Saturday surrounded by friends, family and well wishers at the Gunmakers Arms in Loughton.

The birthday boy has acute lymphoblastic leukemia, an aggressive and rare form of cancer that affects 650 people in the UK each year.

In order to give something back to the Acorn Ward at Whipps Cross where he receives treatment, publicans and long term friends of the Nutley family Dawn Chappell and Paul Relph hosted a family fun day.

Ms Nutley said: "The reason we were raising funds the funds as we want to do something for Elliot's mum Jade and the family.

"There was live music from Fiddlefit in the garden, as well as splat the rat, a bouncy castle and a barbecue.

"We are a community pub which focuses on brining people together and we certainly achieved that yesterday with kids, parents and grandparents all enjoying the day."

With the Gunmakers covering the costs of the event, all of the £2,500 raised will go to Whipps Cross.

For Ms Chappell, Elliot's illness is personal.

She said: "I am currently recovering from breast cancer so I understand the journey Elliot is facing.

"But we are a community and it is times like this that we pull together.

"A big thank you to everyone for their time and support."

As well as hosting his party, the pub's owners bought Elliot a go-kart.

People who would like to donate money to Whipps Cross on Elliot's behalf can drop it into Gunmakers Arms.