A RECORD amount of Christmas cash has been raised at one of the longest running annual festive markets in the area. Pulling in the crowds during a four-hour stint, the Dunmow Christmas Market held at the Catholic Church on Mill Lane, managed to bring in w

A RECORD amount of Christmas cash has been raised at one of the longest running annual festive markets in the area.

Pulling in the crowds during a four-hour stint, the Dunmow Christmas Market held at the Catholic Church on Mill Lane, managed to bring in well over �1000 PER HOUR between 10am and 2pm on Saturday.

Hailing the success as "fantastic" and also thanking the gods for some mild winter weather, one of a team of organisers, Claire Reeve, said: "We had a fantastic day and I still cannot believe how much was raised.

"The fine weather helped to bring the people in along with the inviting smells from the barbeque. The local community are always fantastic with their support of the event and this was evident in the amount raised."

As a result of the frenzied interest from customers, all eager for a Christmas bargain, the total amount at the final count stood at �4700.

But the interest from local shoppers was of no surprise to the organisers as they have over 20 years of experience in running the town's Christmas market.

Mrs Reeve added: "We had colourful stalls, decked with natural greenery, and we attracted customers right up until the event ended at 2pm when the raffles were drawn. The market would not have been complete without the main children's attraction - Father Christmas in his grotto.

"We are very grateful to all those who supported the market and contributed to its great success."

The event is counted as the biggest fundraiser of the year for the two catholic churches which benefit from the money in Great Dunmow and in Hatfield Broad Oak.

All the money split equally between the two and is used for the upkeep of each, from roofs to floors and from toilets to doors.