Dozens of charities and good causes have received an early Christmas present as a festive shopping event in Petersfield has been a record-breaker.

The Giant Christmas Charity Market in Festival Hall was the most successful yet with the December 6 event raising £1,600 in stall rents for the Portsmouth Hospitals Cancer Fund and £4,100 for participating charities.

The bustling event spread out across the hall, stage, foyer and Rose Room featured more than 70 stalls selling everything from vintage jewellery and soaps to candles and Christmas wreaths.

Brothers and organisers Jeremy and Martin Holmes were delighted with the “wonderful” response with many participants raising three-figure sums on the day.

Jeremy said: “Some of the charities did incredibly well with Petersfield Lions making £541 from their stall in the Rose Room, all from donated items.

“The Royal Marsden Cancer Unit did £350 and Petersfield Musical Festival made a profit of £130, so thank you to everyone for coming along and thanks for your support.”

The Rosemary Foundation, Cat and Rabbit Rescue Centre, Ukrainian medical support charity Leleka and Stroud Evening WI will receive sums ranging from £200 to £300, with Mane Chance and Saving Strays both getting £75.

Jeremy believes the record-breaking response was buoyed by sponsorship money with John Westwood of The Petersfield Bookshop, Chapplins of Liss, MRH Removals, Halsa, The Queens Head Sheet, artist John Starling, Picketts & Pursers, Fez and Green Globe Solar all being namechecked.

Charities were not the only winners as Jean Hick with won a Christmas hamper in the raffle while Jennifer Selby and Sue Crawford walked off with the soaps basket and Tesco hamper, respectively.

The annual Giant Easter Market will return to the same venue on April 4.