THIS year's Wirral charity bazaar has raised £43,301 for North West Cancer Research.

More than 3,200 people attended the two-day event, now in its 29th year, which was held in a marquee at Thornton Manor.

All the money raised will help fund the charity's life-saving projects in Merseyside and Cheshire.

During the event there were 70 handpicked stalls from Wirral and all over the UK, offering unique Christmas gifts, food and drink products not found on the high street – it was the perfect opportunity for visitors to kick start their Christmas shopping.

Each stallholder donated 10% of their takings, giving shoppers the unique opportunity to donate to charity whilst doing their Christmas shopping.

In addition, the £5 entry fee and profits from the catering tent were donated directly to the Charity.

Visitors enjoyed prosecco, kindly donated by Majestic West Kirby, as well as entertainment from local choirs SingMeMerseyside, Birkenhead School Chamber Choir, Off Pitch and The Luminelles, joined by the Bazaar's resident saxophonist Dick Neal.

Chair of the Wirral Bazaar committee Kate Williams, said: "The Bazaar was a fantastic two days.

"There was a happy atmosphere throughout, and it was wonderful to welcome so many visitors through the doors and to see the full shopping bags heading out.

"Our thanks go to this year's sponsors, The Mitchell Group, as we are hugely grateful for their continuing support.

"We are also grateful to our other supporters, donors and the businesses who took adverts in our Fair Guide.

"Whilst the volunteer committee works hard all year round to pull the Bazaar together, it would not be possible without the help of our friends and the huge army of volunteers who support the committee, so a big thank you to them.

"All the hard work over the year is worth it when we know that we can enable North West Cancer Research to continue its work and that every penny goes towards funding research in the North West."

Over the past 29 years the Wirral Bazaar has raised more than half a million pounds for North West Cancer Research.

This has helped fund projects such as looking at the advantages of proton beam therapies in head and neck cancer treatment, the development of effective skin cancer drugs and a first ever clinical trial for patients with bile duct cancer.

Alastair Richards, chief executive of North West Cancer Research said: "It amazes us every year to see an event of this scale held with such success and it’s all down to the hard work, dedication and impressive organisational skills of the Wirral Bazaar Committee.

"Now in its 29th year it's fair to say the event is exceedingly popular and an absolute staple in calendars across the North West, which I'm sure it will continue to be for years to come.

"Each person that attends the event, whether a shopper, stall holder, performer or volunteer is making an extraordinary contribution to the research funded right on our doorstep."