CROWDS of people flocked to Nelson town centre to buy Christmas gifts and help boost the funds of local charities.

As part of the campaign to increase the number of shoppers in the town a Caring Christmas Market was held on Saturday with local charities, voluntary and community groups, selling goods to raise money for their causes.

Organisations involved included Imperial Cancer Research, The Samaritans, St John Ambulance, Green Space, Burnley and Pendle Hospice, the Building Bridges Refugees' and Asylum Seekers' Support Group, Walverden Old People's Home, Central Methodist Church and St John Southworth Church.

A marquee was put in the Place de Creil, Father Christmas paid the town a visit and the Salvation Army led the carol singing. There were also a number of children's rides and activities.

The event was organised by Nelson Town Centre Forum with funding from the council, the European Regional Development Fund and Pendle Partnership.

Jan Joshi, town centre officer, said: "We had a lot of visitors to the town centre. It was a very successful and productive day."