FUN and fundraising go hand in hand at this time of year as schools and hospitals get into the festive spirit with Christmas fairs.

The highpoint of Friday evening's event, December 7, at Walwayne Court Primary School was the arrival of Father Christmas on a motorised sleigh complete with lights and music.

The chairperson of the Friends of Walwayne Court, John Agate, said: "The kids were gobsmacked."

The Friends have already raised £10,000 for improving the school's IT resources. Their current project is new playground equipment.

Mr Agate said: "We always try to do it bigger and better than the previous year."

Clarendon School has not had a Christmas fair in recent times but Saturday's event was such a success it is considering hiring the Civic Hall next year.

The afternoon raised £743 for the Friends of Clarendon School. They have asked the different faculties at the school for a hit-list of extras they would like but cannot pay for with normal funding. Previously the school pond got some plants and the science labs a television.

School finance officer Sandie Brooks said: "There was a very nice atmosphere on Saturday it was a really happy event.

"We were very grateful for all the support especially from the local traders and from everyone who donated their time, money and services."

On the same day baby Lauren Booth was the centre of attention at a Christmas Craft Bazaar at the Neeld Hall in Chippenham.

The event was organised by Lauren's parents Lisa-Jayne and Paul Booth to raise money for the Royal United Hospital.

When Lauren was just six weeks old she caught group B streptococcal meningitis an illness so serious that at one point she stopped breathing.

Thankfully she recovered, and her parents set up the appeal to raise money for the hospital's Forever Friends appeal.

A tombola, a raffle, face-painting and craft and cake stalls raised £1,300.

Mrs Booth said: "I don't now how much we were expecting but not this much."

The Trowbridge Hospital League of Friends also held a Christmas fair this weekend at St James's Church Hall.