A COMMUNITY campaign to pay for a poor man’s funeral inspired the writer of hit comedy Benidorm to make a donation that takes fundraisers beyond their target.

Friends of Jeffrey Buston - known as Benidorm Jeff - launched a fundraising drive in his home town of Spennymoor, County Durham, to give him a dignified send off.

They managed to find the £1,000 deposit to plan a funeral for Mr Buston, who died of bowel cancer last month, but needed a further £1,100 to cover the outstanding costs.

The 64-year-old charity shop volunteer was known as Benidorm Jeff because when he had a paid job he used to holiday there and loved performing in its karaoke bars.

Actor and writer Derren Litten, who created ITV series Benidorm, read about the campaign on The Northern Echo website and wanted to help.

He donated £1,000 - through online page crowdfunding.justgiving.com/jef which was set up by pub singer Katie West - ensuring friends can pay the final bill and should be able to afford a headstone.

Mr Litten, who is currently filming the next series of Benidorm in Spain, also plans to dedicate a turn on the karaoke to Mr Buston this weekend.

He said: “I was extremely moved by Jeff’s story in The Northern Echo, it distressed me to think how many people work tirelessly for charity all their lives but then, somehow, can be overlooked when they leave us.

“And of course the fact that Jeff was a fellow Benidorm karaoke singer like myself made me want to help even more.

“I’ll make sure I sing a song this weekend here in Benidorm and dedicate it to the memory of Jeff.”

Steven Lloyd, a close friend of Mr Buston’s, said: “I cannot thank Derren enough, I’m overwhelmed and can hardly believe someone so far away who didn’t know Jeff was willing to help.

“That will settle the balance but also means we can probably get him a headstone which is only right for a nice man.

“Jeff used to love his breaks in Benidorm and I know he was a fan of the show and recognised many of the places and the hotel so he’d have been happy.”

Mr Buston’s funeral will be at 1.15pm on Friday, April 24, at The Salvation Army Hall, in Shildon, which is not charging for the service, followed by a free wake at The Victoria pub, in Spennymoor.