HASLEMERE Charities Fair celebrates its 35th anniversary this weekend with its largest indoor market ever.

Doors open at Haslemere Hall at 9am, entry is free and the fun continues until 1pm, on Saturday, November 10.

A grand total of 35 charities will set out their stalls, offering a wide range of Christmas gifts, cards, decorations, hand-crafted jewellery, plants and home-made cakes. There will also be a coffee shop and grand prize draw.

This year, the charities have been given their tables for free, because the hall hire has been covered by a generous grant from Haslemere Town Council and an anonymous donor.

Charities taking part include Haslewey Centre, Cats Protection, Camelsdale Brownies, Compassion in World Farming, Dogs Trust, St John Ambulance, River Wey Trust, Happy Cats Rescue, Penny Ha’penny Trust, and Taylan’s Project.

Fair founder and organiser Dianne Bennett, who also runs the Haslemere branch of Bliss premature babies charity, said: “I began the Charities Fair to give local good causes the opportunity to raise awareness of their work and help them to raise vital funds.

“It has run and run, growing into the big event that we have today.

“It also gives our wider community the opportunity to indulge in some pre-Christmas retail therapy while doing good at the same time.”

Haslemere Cancer Research UK chairman Ruth Holden said: “The Charities Fair is a great platform for raising money and awareness.

“There have been huge improvements in the treatment and prevention of cancers since it began 35 years ago and residents can be proud that they played a part in this progress.”