GENEREOUS folk dipped deep into their pockets at this year’s Christmas carol singing around the tree at The Royal Anchor pub, with the collection raising £400.

The sum has been equally divided between the Liphook Day Centre and Liphook Community Support Laundry.

Organised by Terry Burns for the last 26 years, close to 400 revellers attended December’s event, which was started with just a handful of people attending.

Terry thanked his wife Carole and all their friends, as well as the Haslemere Town Band, who all helped to make this annual festive favourite happen.

Terry said: “We now have 11 sponsors who contribute to the event, which includes free mulled wine, mince pies, hot soup and roasted chestnuts, and it is down to the Liphook community spirit that each year the Christmas carol singing gets more and more popular.

“I could not put this event together without the help from all the volunteers involved and I am pleased to say we could raise some well-deserved funds for both the day centre and the community support laundry, which both do a fantastic job for the elderly in the village.”

Liphook laundry chairman Irene Ellis (right) is pictured with Terry Burns and day centre chairman Paul Robinson.­