TRADERS in Barnards Green have been busy this week making the final preparations for the high point of the festive calendar - the Christmas charity event.

And organisers are hoping the event, being staged on Saturday, December 11, is as successful as last year's.

Helen Portman, proprietor of the Toy Corner and one of the organisers said: "Last year was really fabulous. It was a really busy time and we raised £1,400 for the Midlands Air Ambulance."

This year there will be two charities benefiting: Macmillan Cancer Care, and the Borrowers Toy Library, which is based in the Green.

And the library's own Play Rangers will be among the attractions on the day, which runs from 10am to 3pm, with Santa making his big entrance at 10.30am.

Activities for kids include arts and crafts, football skills and circus skills, and a play bus and climbing wall will also be in place.

Cheerleaders from Dance in Motion will be putting on a show, and there will be music from the choirs of Great Malvern and Northleigh primary schools, Malvern Male Voice Choir, Malvern Hills Brass Band Random Number and the Jakeman Sisters.

There is also a grand raffle competition and a children's shop window competition.

"The raffle has been really successful," said Helen. "More than half the tickets have gone already."