More than £47,000 was raised in a charity event at Lancaster Castle.

St John’s Hospice held its first 'Jail and Bail' event at the castle on October 30.

It saw 31 participants from 24 local businesses locked up in the 19th-century A-wing of the former male penitentiary.

Supporters of Mrs Ingram, headteacher at Arkholme Primary (Image: St John's Hospice) They were tasked with raising £999 bail money each for the charity in order to secure their release.

Until the money was raised, they were subjected to jail-like conditions.

The event began at sponsor Atkinsons’ The Hall on China Street, where participants were 'arrested' by four Lancaster Police officers.

Sophie Lyden from Westgate Tyres and her daughter (Image: St John's Hospice) They were then marched to the castle, where they were processed with mugshots and fingerprints taken.

The prisoners were kept under the watchful eye of prison guards from Funcast Character Company and the prison warden, who is also a fundraiser at St John’s Hospice, Emma Farmer.

Ms Farmer said: "The success of our Jail and Bail event has blown us away.

Prisoners getting ready to enter their cells at the historic prison (Image: St John's Hospice) "Each prisoner has inspired us with their fundraising, and we love how it really caught people’s imaginations."

In their small cells, participants called and emailed clients, suppliers, friends, and family, asking for help to raise the money.

Some had people on the outside 'shaking buckets' and selling cakes, while others offered to do favours for their friends in return for a donation.

During the day, more than £47,000 was raised online, not including all the cash in buckets.

Mixed messages from Sam's colleagues at Strongdor (Image: St John's Hospice) During their allotted ‘yard time’ the prisoners were able to stretch their legs while friends, family and colleagues arrived to show their support and demand their loved one be freed.

Ashley Wilson, managing director at Express Plumbing Supplies in Kendal, said: "It was different, to say the least.

"The support given to all inmates to raise an unbelievable amount of donations to the Hospice was fantastic.

"However, I don't like jail - they've got the wrong type of bars in there."

St John’s Hospice is hoping the total will reach £50,000 as money is still coming in.

This could pay for more than 100 hours of care across all of St John’s community services, providing quality nursing care, respite and reassurance to patients in their own homes across North Lancashire, the South Lakes and parts of North Yorkshire.

All of the prisoners rounded up by the gate (Image: St John's Hospice) Pam Barker, the constable of Lancaster Castle and patron of St John’s Hospice, said: "The event in the Castle was brilliant.

"The ‘prisoners’ had so much fun and everyone entered into the spirit of the event.

"I think it’s wonderful to see the Castle being used in this way and I know the King will be pleased to hear about it too."

St John’s Hospice has announced that Jail and Bail will be back next year, so anyone who missed out can get in touch with Warden Emma at emma.farmer@sjhospice.org.uk.