SIMON Shepherd, star of TV's medical drama Peak Practice, will be the special guest of honour when Community Action Malvern and District holds its popular Christmas fair next Saturday (November 21).

Shepherd, who's in town to appear in Our Man In Havana at Malvern Theatres, will officially open the charity fair in the York Hall, Malvern St James, at 10am.

The Community Action fair has been a fixture in Malvern's calendar during the run-up to Christmas for many years, and provides an important fundraising opportunity for many charities.

Among the groups that will be setting out their stalls at this year's event are Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation, Home Start Malvern, Malvern Childline, Malvern Hills Gymnastic Club and Malvern Special Families, plus many more.

"We've got about 30 stalls from local and national charities and it's a really good fundraising day for them," said Clare Jenkins of Community Action.

The stalls between them sell a whole variety of merchandise, including arts and crafts, to help make your Christmas shopping that much easier.

There is also a raffle with prizes including a flight in a hot-air balloon, lunch for two at the Mount Pleasant Hotel and prints by local artist Vivien Bromley.

There will be children's activities such as Christmas crafts and face painting, music on stage from local children and, of course, Santa will be in his grotto.

The fair runs from 10am until 3pm and entry is £1 (senior citizens 50p, children free).

*See page 55 for a preview of Our Man In Havana.