ROPLEY Parish Hall will this week host the 25th annual Victorian Christmas market.

Open from 6pm-8pm on Thursday, local groups, wearing Victorian costume, will join craftspeople to offer a wide range of goods, with the opportunity to solve all those Christmas shopping problems under one roof.

Stalls selling everything from pottery to books and from cakes to jams and chutneys, will rub shoulders with festive games and activities, face painting and refreshments.

There will be singing by the Brownies and members of the Ropley Children’s Theatre, and a chance for youngsters to visit Father Christmas in his Winterland Grotto.

And there will be an opportunity to deposit Christmas cards for local delivery.

Entry is free and there will be complimentary mulled wine and mince pies for the adults and soft drinks and treats for the children. Proceeds from the event will go to the Raise the Roof appeal to rebuild St Peter’s Church, destroyed by fire in 2014.