A FESTIVE fund-raiser in aid of the church where composer Edward Elgar is buried has been hailed a huge success.

More than 170 people visited Welland Parish Hall on Wednesday for the annual Christmas bazaar in aid of St Wulstan’s Church, Little Malvern.

Organiser James Sweetman said proceeds from the event already stand at more than £2,700, which is “well up on last year”.

“The home produce made by parishioners was in great demand, and under Mary Wilson and Dymphna O’Grady the ‘ancient and modern’ stall made a record £600 from donated items,” he said. “The commercial stalls added a great variety of goods, giving those who came a wide choice of items to purchase for Christmas presents and to stock their larders.”

Father Edward Crouzet, attending for the first time as parish priest for St Wulstan’s, thanked everyone who attended and said the event was a “great social success” as well as very profitable for the church’s restoration fund.

Proceeds will go towards masonry repairs and re-pointing on the church.