THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised for local causes through the monthly farmers, craft and fairtrade market.

It runs on the third Friday of each month in Egremont Market Hall, hosting a variety of charities and local groups.

Felicity and Ian Watson, with help from Sandra Stilling and Marie Rooney, have managed to collect £2,319 for West Cumbria Hospice at Home.

Felicity said: “We’re very pleased, I’ve been coming to the market for about 11 years now. This is the highest amount we have managed to raise and we have been increasing year on year.

“We also sell at the Crab Fair and the Christmas event but even with the Christmas event cancelled this year we have managed to make £100 more than before.”

Founded in 1987, West Cumbria Hospice at Home’s objective is to provide palliative care to patients, help and support to their carers and families and to provide for everybody who needs them.

And Felicity said: “I’ve been involved with the charity since the outset 29 years ago, I was one of the founding members. It happened because I was involved in community nursing, so it was very much something that was close to me.”

The group sell savouries, cakes, biscuits and seasonal specialities, making all their produce themselves.

Throughout 2015 many groups have raised funds at the market, including Seascale and St Bees NSPCC (over £350), Friends of Egremont Castle (£100), Beckermet School (£150), Lamplugh School (£140).

Various Women’s Institute groups have raised approximately £400 and Egremont Inner Wheel split £171.10 between Whitehaven’s Salvation army and Parkinsons West Cumbria.

Blood Bikes Cumbria, West House and Egremont Amenity Committee also raised money for their causes at the market last year.