IT might have been a bit early but Santa still got a big welcome from the children who crowded into his grotto at the Christmas fair held to raise funds for St Mary’s Church.

Now a traditional fixture on the parish calendar, the November 21 fair provided a festive afternoon with a good variety of stalls selling gifts, crafts and Christmas treats.

A spokesman, who didn’t want to say how much was raised, said they had good support for the village and described it as a “very successful afternoon”.