Adam Booker, headteacher at Bourne's Willoughby School, described hitting the £20,000 target as a "major milestone" and said the bid for specialist status would be formally submitted in October.

An appeal was launched by the school just eight months ago and fundraisers' latest boost was a donation from the Len Pick Trust, which helped the school to reach its target.

Mr Booker said: "To achieve £20,000 so quickly has been amazing.

"My special thanks go to the Len Pick Trust for their major contribution this week.

"It has certainly boosted us over the line. We can now move forward with certainty on the next stage of the application process.

Adrian Smith, of the Len Pick Trust, said: "The trustees have followed the school's bid for specialist status closely and at their quarterly meeting earlier this week confirmed their wish to support the Willoughby School with an allocation to complete the funding bid in time for the July 15 deadline.

"The Willoughby School has an excellent reputation and we hope that their application in October will be successful. One of the policies of the Trust is to support schools and young people in our area for the general benefit of the community and this is one manifestation of that policy.

"We are very pleased to be able to support what has been a magnificent community effort."

Mr Booker was delighted by support shown by the town.

He said: "We are indebted to so many people. Charities, parents, friends, strangers and companies have all contributed to our cause. It illustrates to me the depth of goodwill and support that is offered in our communities.

"Considering that the economic climate is so poor at the moment I am staggered by the goodwill offered by our population."