TWO local charities have picked up cheques for more than £8,000 each raised at the 21st St Thomas’s Church Christmas Tree Festival.

More than 12,000 people visited the festival from across the city and from overseas such as Vancouver, Canada and Australia, over 1,000 local musicians took part and more than £25,000 was raised.

The Salisbury church says it is a “heartening reminder of the continual generosity of the local community and of all who visit the Christmas tree festival”.

The church was standing room only for the ever popular Carols for Busy People last Wednesday (December 17) when the funds raised were handed out to this year’s chosen charities – Julia’s House and Clouds House each receiving £8,379.18.

Emily Hobson from Clouds House.

Presenting the cheque to Julia’s House.

This lunchtime event allows working people to visit and sing favourite carols and hear the Christmas story, and it has become a regular and much-loved event with the community.