COLOURFUL stalls and Victorian clothes attracted the crowds on Saturday as the Great Dunmow annual Victorian Market surpassed all records raising a tremendous total of £4580. The amount will go towards the up keep of the Catholic Churches of Our Lady and

COLOURFUL stalls and Victorian clothes attracted the crowds on Saturday as the Great Dunmow annual Victorian Market surpassed all records raising a tremendous total of £4580.

The amount will go towards the up keep of the Catholic Churches of Our Lady and St Anne in Dunmow and Our Lady of Lourdes in Hatfield Broad Oak.

Due to the stunning amount raised £1000 is also being pledged to the Catholic Aid Overseas Development to help fund Third World projects.

Organiser Claire Reeve said: "The event was very well attended with support coming not only from parishioners but from the local community as well."

Another benefactor to help the event was the voice himself Richard Harris who, as Great Dunmow's Town Crier, provided the necessary 'advertising' during Saturday morning.

The Victorian market is the biggest fund-raiser of the year for the churches with stallholders taking part by dressing in Victorian costumes to sell cakes, teddy bears, jewellery, cars and Christmas gifts and decorations. And it wouldn't be complete without the main children's attraction, Father Christmas in his grotto.

Mrs Reeve said: "We are very grateful to those who supported and contributed to the tremendous success.