Parishioners and volunteers managed to raise more than £4,000 at a Christmas fayre at St Mary’s Church, in Eaton Socon.

The event, on November 18, was held to raise money for church funds and organisers say people were queuing outside the door.

“It was incredible,” said parochial church council member Mike Gilham.

“People were queuing before the fayre started and business was very brisk with bargains literally flying off the tables.

A heartfelt thank you to the people of St Neots who attended the fayre, local businesses that donated prizes and the 60-plus volunteers on the day who helped to promote the event an the media, notably The Hunts Post and Black Cat Radio.”

St Mary’s Church dates back to the 14th Century and was restored in 1932 after a fire. Money is needed to repair the vestry, which is no longer water-tight, and some of the plaster work needs attention.

A Christmas fayre is also being held at the church, which dates back to the 14th Century and was restored in 1932 after a fire, in November, to raise money for repairs. The church clock also needs repairing as it no longer strikes on the quarter hour.