MEMBERS of voluntary groups from around the borough were certainly in the festive spirit as they sold Christmas gifts at a special fair in The Malls.

Organised by Basingstoke Voluntary Services (BVS), the event gave 21 different charities and voluntary organisations the chance to raise vital money by selling gifts in the shopping centre.

Stall holders dressed up as characters from different pantomimes and decorated their stall tables to attract customers.

Basingstoke and Deane Mayor Councillor David Leeks judged a competition for the best-dressed stall, awarding cancer charity The Pink Place £100 first prize, donated by The Malls.

Runner-up was The Cafe Project, which runs a cafe at The Dome in Brighton Hill for young people with learning disabilities to gain real work experience.

Maureen Covacic, acting chief executive of BVS, said: “We support all voluntary and community organisations in the borough and we run this charity fair for groups to come along and fundraise and raise awareness of what they do.

“Last year The Malls was being refurbished so we couldn’t do this event but this year we were back. We are very grateful to The Malls for their support.”

Basingstoke-based company Visa Europe offered support to BVS, with staff helping to put up gazebos in the morning.