Christmas Charity Fair

The hall was buzzing as visitors poured through the door to hunt for bargains, treats and essentials displayed on the stalls provided by different organisations, or settled down for a refreshing cuppa and a snack.

Running the show was Margaret Jones, who said: "We do this every year and it works very well. It is always a great social event. We have been doing this for about six or seven years and there is always a really nice atmosphere, and hopefully the charities make plenty of money.

"The Bexhill Liberal Democrats organise and cover the basic costs such as hiring the hall, and advertising, and the charities pay a nominal sum to have a table. But for us it is more about the social event than the fundraising - I just want the charities to do well."

There for the morning were the British Heart Foundation, Guide Dogs For The Blind, Cancer Research UK, Feline Friends, St Michael's Hospice, Barby Keel, Red Cross, The East Sussex Disability Forum, and Cat Rescue.

Margaret added: "Thanks to all the charities that come year after year and make this a happy event, and such a good start to Christmas, and that they all get together in the way they do - we all get on with one another. A lady today was saying that her son who is raising money for Africa next year would like to come to the next one - it is very nice that we get such a mix of charities, and in such a super atmosphere."