HUNDREDS of visitors flocked to Kingston Maurward College for the Macmillan Christmas Shopping Fair.

The festive event, described as “the biggest Christmas fair in Dorset”, took place at the weekend.

Visitors were treated to more than 40 stalls selling a variety of goods including books, cheese, clothes, crafts and more.

Over the last five years the fair has raised nearly £200,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support and this year representatives from the charity were on hand to provide information and collect donations.

Chrissie Wathen-Neal, the Dorset fundraising manager for Macmillan, said: “This event means we can help even more people living with cancer in the county.

“The more money we collect the more support we can provide.

“This is one of the biggest Macmillan fundraisers of the year. They always do a fantastic job of organising it and it is entirely run by volunteers.”

Visitors said they enjoyed the fair and were happy to donate money to Macmillan.

Margaret Haywood said: “It has gone very well. I am taking a look at the products then will come back for stuff. I have been coming for many years.”

Rosemary Bell said: “We have had a lovely day and have bought more than we intended. This is the first time we have come.”

Rose Joly, a member of the fair’s committee, explained the charity Christmas fair has been going for more than 20 years and always raises a large amount of money for Macmillan.

She added: “It is the biggest Christmas fair and largest single contributor to Macmillan in Dorset.

“There have been a lot of happy faces. Everyone seems to be donating money to Macmillan. I have been helping to run the coffee stalls and some people have been giving us extra change to show their support.

“A lot of people have come up to us and said they have been helped by Macmillan and are pleased to support it.”