THE NSPCC Christmas Fair committee has raised £58,750 at its final event at Castle Howard earlier this month.

After 15 successful years at the stately home, the annual event will move to its new venue of Duncombe Park, near Helmsley for 2016.

“We wanted to go out on a high with our fifteenth and final event at Castle Howard and we are so delighted that we managed to achieve this,” said Harriette Murray Wells, joint chairman of the committee which organises the fair.

“Over the last 15 years we have raised a staggering half a million pounds for the NSPCC. So much work goes into preparing for the event, we're all volunteers on the committee, and we really put our heart and soul into making this last fair the best we could.

" Our thanks go to our loyal shoppers who came in their thousands to visit the fair and help support our cause.

Harriette added: “We're already looking ahead to our exciting new home for next year's fair at Duncombe Park.

“It was our first choice of venue and we can't wait to open the gates to this beautiful stately home with our new look Christmas fair and raise vital funds for the NSPCC.”

The NSPCC Christmas Fair ran over three days in November. Income from ticket sales, raffle tickets, sponsors and donations, and 10% of each stall holder’s takings all go direct to the charity.

Funds raised by the Fair help provide NSPCC services for children and families in the North Yorkshire region as well as across the UK.

The NSPCC Christmas Fair committee would like to thank their kind sponsors to include: The Rowse Family Trust, JM Finn & Co Investment Management, Strutt & Parker, The Crown in Hutton-le-Hole, and The Orangery Settrington.