Home-based festive fair nets £1,700 for blind youngsters

AN IGHTHAM woman transformed her house into a Christmas market on Friday to raise money for blind children.

Maria Barnes, of Oldbury Lane, invited local traders to come and spend a day in her lounge and dining room. Her upstairs rooms became massage parlours and her kitchen was used for cookery demonstrations. The event raised just under £1,700 for Dorton House School in Seal.

Speaking on Monday, when Mrs Barnes said her furniture was still in the garden, she said: "It was brilliant. People were enjoying themselves." She added two Dorton House pupils came along, which made the event more meaningful.

See centre pages for pictures of more Christmas events