SHOPPING and socialising were high on the agenda for visitors to Rockbourne Fair.

The event, held at Salisbury Racecourse, attracted between 3,000 and 4,000 people and was the perfect opportunity for some early Christmas shopping.

About 90 stallholders from across the country sold a huge range of arts, crafts, gifts, jewellery and clothing and the food hall offered a wide selection of gourmet foods from truffles to smoked salmon and Christmas pudding.

This was the first time the event had been organised by volunteers from Salisbury District Hospital’s Stars Appeal team, which took over from the outgoing committee last year.

The tradition has been going since 1988 when it started in a barn as a pre-Christmas sale to raise money for local causes. It has since moved to the racecourse and has become one of the area’s ‘must-attend’ events.

Many of the stallholders were at the fair for the first time and they did a roaring trade as visitors flocked to shop.

“We’re still counting the money but it looks to have raised in the region of £45,000 which is fantastic,” said Dave Cates, director of the Stars Appeal.

“It’s been run by a fantastic team of Stars Appeal volunteers who have done everything.

“It was quite a responsibility taking it on from the previous committee who did such a great job but it went really well.”

The fair was opened last Wednesday by its honorary president Jennie Sherborne MBE and chairman of the Stars Appeal Lisa Stratton.

There was a crèche for children so parents could browse at their leisure and late night shopping on Thursday evening.

All the proceeds will go towards those receiving treatment at the hospital including cancer patients, those in the stroke unit.

It will also benefit the Caring 4 Kids Campaign which aims to provide £1million for the new children’s unit at Salisbury District Hospital.