THE family of a late rock star have raised more than £3,500 for charity to have his name appear in lights at a special fundraising memorial event taking place at Bournemouth Pier.

The name of John Wetton, co-founder and frontman of the 80s super-group Asia, will be displayed in fireworks as part of Light Up the Prom.

The town’s biggest memorial event takes place on October 20 in aid of Macmillan Caring Locally and Bournemouth Hospital Charity.

The event will feature hundreds of lights illuminating the prom, followed by a dazzling firework display and a musical performance from the Bournemouth Male Choir.

And every year, as part of the festivities, a loved one's name is displayed in fireworks.

John’s family raised the money through JustGiving in aid of the Macmillan Palliative Care Unit at Christchurch Hospital where John spent his final days.

The funds will go towards rebuilding the Macmillan unit at Christchurch Hospital which is in desperate need of expansion.

John, who died in January this year at the age of 67 after a battle with colon cancer, was the co-founder, frontman and principal songwriter of Asia.

The band’s debut album sold eight million copies and was Billboard Magazine’s No.1, spending nine weeks at the top of America’s album charts in 1982. Their biggest hits included Only Time Will Tell and Heat of the Moment.

Run by the independent charity, Macmillan Caring Locally, the Macmillan Palliative Care Unit provides specialist end of life care and support to families, carers, and friends.

Lisa Wetton, John’s wife, said: “We are thankful that the fireworks have been sponsored, as all money raised will now go directly to Macmillan Caring Locally and the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

“John's brother, Robert, his son, Dylan, and his mother Peggy and I are happy we got to help raise this amazing sum for the charity that has been close to John in his last days.”

Lin Sharp, Capital Appeal Director for Macmillan Caring Locally, said: “We are overwhelmed by the incredible support from John’s fans. We will be forever grateful to Lisa who set up the donations page and raised this phenomenal sum to help us fund the new unit.

“Light up the Prom is a wonderful memorial event and John’s name in lights will be a fitting tribute to this incredibly talented man.

“We are grateful to all John’s friends and fans who donated to Lisa’s JustGiving page.”