THE dates have been announced for the Early, Early Christmas Fair which is going virtual this year.

The annual fair, which is usually held in Tidworth, takes place from Monday, September 21 to Thursday, October 1 and is raising money for the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) The Soldiers Charity.

Organisers said: “We are so excited to launch our very first The Early, Early Christmas Virtual Fair. The Fair has been a very successful event held annually for the last 28 years in aid of The Soldiers’ Charity and this year due to Covid 19 we are doing it differently. This year is not just about the charity but about looking after the small, hard-working businesses that are the key enablers of the event and all our supporters.

“We are bringing you a ten-day, exclusive, online shopping extravaganza for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own home.”

Ten per cent of purchases will be donated to the charity. Items including, food, fashion, personalised stationery, books, beauty products, pictures, stocking fillers, home and garden products as well as gifts for men, women, children and babies, Christmas decorations, advent wreaths; and much more.

There will also be a virtual Pinkster Gin tasting evening on September 25, 7pm.

Shoppers can also order a personally signed book from Colin Thackery, the 89-year-old Chelsea Pensioner and winner of the 2019 Britain’s Got Talent or sign up for your own virtual valuation with one of the country’s most experienced valuers, Marc Allum, from The Antiques Roadshow.

For more information about the fair go to eecfair.org.uk