SQUEEZEBOX busker John Jones, who spends most of his week cheering up hospital patients and visitors, has helped charities to the tune of £100,000.

John has raised his collections since he began playing the accordion 10-years ago and is proud to have reached the six-figure sum.

Father-of-two John, 59, said: ''It is a wonderful feeling. I remember reaching the £50,000 mark - but this is amazing.''

Raising such a huge amount of cash is an almost unbelievable feat - but keen musician John plays up to four nights a week in the corridors of Macclesfield Hospital, as well as in the town's Grosvenor Centre, local supermarkets and retirement homes.

Classic tunes

He also attracts donations by playing favourites, classics from the Beatles and Abba, and even modern pop - including Robbie Williams.

''I wasn't really interested in pop music - it is what I call 'noise'. But after somebody asked if I could play some Robbie Williams, I learned to play Angels. It's a wonderful song.''

And John, who has been married to June for six years, achieved success without ever having had a single accordion lesson.

He joked: ''You can tell when June is not at home - because you can hear me practising.''

John put his musical talent to use after seeing a poster advertising the MAST scanner appeal. On his first day of busking at the Grosvenor Centre in Macclesfield, he raised more than £300 - and in 1999 he won the Local Heroes competition.