More than 130 people went to the Wellesley Theatre in Wellington last Wednesday night (September 29) for ‘An Evening with Clinton Rogers’ to launch his book, which is raising money for St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice.

Clinton, the BBC’s former Somerset correspondent, was ‘grilled’ for an hour by BBC Radio Somerset breakfast show presenter Claire Cater and spoke about his near five decades in broadcasting and journalism.

The audience were entertained with behind the scenes stories from Glastonbury Festival, tales of news stories Clinton has covered throughout his career, war zones he has visited and celebrities he has interviewed – some of whom get short shrift in the book!.

The book – Clinton Rogers – A Life in Broadcasting (Celebrities Wars and All) – has been generously sponsored by Somerset estate agents Wilkie May & Tuckwood. And that means that every penny of every book sold goes directly to the hospice.

Today St Margaret’s chief executive Ann Lee said: “It was a really wonderful evening and we are so grateful to the people who came along, as well as those who worked behind the scenes to make it happen.”

The evening raised more than £2,500. The book is available from St Margaret’s website – www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk - at £12 plus postage and packing or from any of the organisation’s charity shops across Somerset.

Today Clinton, who retired from the BBC last October, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people at the Wellesley. I was really nervous but the audience was really kind to me – and Claire was a star. I hope those who couldn’t make it along will buy the book. It’s not a bad read and it’s a great cause!”