Salisbury's Rockbourne Fair to help fund new hospital cots

Christmas decorations are among the many items available

Money raised at an annual three-day Christmas fair will go towards new cots in a hospital.

The Rockbourne Fair at Salisbury Racecourse will raise money through a £5 entry fee and sales commissions for Salisbury District Hospital's charity, The Stars Appeal.

This year, one of its fundraising projects includes 20 adjustable cots, costing £38,000.

More than 100 stallholders sell wares like jewellery, fashion and homeware.

Gourmet food is part of the selection at the fair which is one of the charity's major fundraising events in the calendar

There are more than 100 stalls at the event at Salisbury Racecourse, which is on until Friday

Fundraiser for the charity, Helena Sinclair, said the money raised would go to new cots in the maternity ward.

"These cots are fully adjustable - they help parents who might not be able to move straight away after the birth," Ms Sinclair said.

"It's going to make such a difference in bonding."

The Stars Appeal is also raising cash for a fourth echocardiogram machine, costing £142,000, which uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart.

The traders are from small businesses, many of them local

Sarah Ewan has been volunteering with the charity for five years and says the fair is "incredibly important".

Speaking to BBC Radio Wiltshire, she said: "As a local resident, it's a cause close to my heart.

"You can find things here you wouldn't usually find on the high street."