UNIVERSITY College Worcester's first-ever Christmas charity fair proved to be a big success.

Staff, students and the public had the opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping.

As a result, nine charities, including the Friends of Worcester Cathedral, the Leukaemia CARE Society, Macmillan Cancer Relief, Save the Children and St Richard's Hospice Foundation, raised almost £1,000 between them from selling their wares.

Cyril Burton, chairman of Worcester and District Macmillan Cancer Relief, said the event went so well that they would definitely go back next year.

"It was good to be invited along to UCW, they made us very welcome and we took around £200 on the day."

Pam Stubbs, head of marketing at the college, said it would not be the last year that the college hosted the event.

"Feedback from students and staff was very positive and the charities themselves welcomed the opportunity, not only to raise money for their various causes, but also to raise their profiles and maybe attract additional volunteers."