CHRISTMAS has arrived early in a Petersfield shopping street thanks to a town charity.

FitzRoy opened its first Christmas Pop Up shop on Tuesday with the Lavant Street store open daily from 9.30am to 5pm for the rest of the week and Saturday.

FitzRoy staff, members and volunteers will be working in the shop all week, selling handmade products made by adults with learning disabilities and autism from their On Track day service and Rural Skills project.

Handcrafted wooden reindeer, natural hanging wreaths, handcrafted wooden snowmen, Christmas trees and reindeer baubles are among the items on sale.

The Rural Skills team enjoyed being involved in every stage of the craft production process, from choosing a tree in the surrounding sustainable woodland to adding the decorative finishing touches to the reindeers.

The Pop Up shop will also sell everything families will want for Christmas, including gifts, decorations and novelty Christmas goodies for children.

All proceeds will go towards transforming the lives of people with learning disabilities and autism and Santander UK’s Petersfield branch are not only volunteering in the shop, but they have also agreed to match every penny raised.

There will be plenty of festive activities, including the chance to meet Father Christmas in the Santa’s Grotto and a festive family photo session with a professional photographer.

You can book your visit to Santa’s Grotto or portrait session at: www.bookwhen.com/fitzroy