A festive fundraising first for Bedworth has proven the 'icing on the cake' for the rejuvenating centre of the town.

The true spirit of Christmas has been displayed by market traders who have pulled out all the stops for the forthcoming festive season. All the businesses in the town centre have joined in with the idea and all have donated something towards the charity appeal or to the grotto.

The first for Bedworth Santa's grotto has been organised to raise money for a local girl suffering cerebral palsy with quadriplegia and the local Air Ambulance.

Emily Bradshaw, the young girl and a representative from the Air Ambulance were present for the official opening on Friday 30th November. Santa and his helper arrived to be greeted by Emily, the local MP Mike O'Brien, The Mayor of Nuneaton and Bedworth, a small band and the choir of a local school. They then opened the charity grotto after a performance of the nativity by a toddlers group from the church next to the market.

In the first weekend they have raised over £1500 for the charities. Trade has also been boosted on the market as the number of visitors has risen with all traders reported lots of new faces on the market.

Amanda Steane, a trader on the market and one of the organisers say "It has been great, the response from the traders and the businesses in the town has been so encouraging and positive. We have also organised a post box for the children to write to Santa and they will get a reply the following week. It really has proved a great success."

Dennis Harvey, Leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council said "The market traders have created a fantastic Santa's grotto, they are making a real go of the place and working in partnership to create further improvements, all credit to them."

Alan Ottey, Town Centres and markets Manager said" For me it puts the icing on the Christmas cake, what with the recent regeneration of the town centre, the market and the new Aldi store, it just goes to show how everybody in the town centre has united together."