A WASSAILING event hosted by a Highbridge cider company has raised £3,000 for charity.

Nearly 500 people attended Rich's Cider Farm's wassailing event in January and enjoyed live music, cider and frolics and dipped into their pockets to donate to St Margaret's Hospice.

Jan Scott and her team from Rich’s Cider visited St. Margaret’s Hospice in Taunton earlier this month to present the hospice with the cheque and enjoyed short guided tour.

Terena Gill, St Margaret's community fundraiser for East Somerset, said: “It was a fantastic evening and it was really great to see so many people enjoying themselves and joining in the old Somerset tradition of a wassail.

"The Skimmity Hitchers were brilliant and you couldn’t help but dance and sing along with them.

"The £3,000 raised will make a huge difference to our charity.

"It could pay for 30 visits by a specialist nurse to patients receiving care at home in Sedgemoor.”

And Jan Scott from Rich's Cider Farm, said the farm is pleased to support the hospice.

She said: “The hospice is so special and is such an important part of Somerset, we are so lucky to have it.

"We are pleased to support the hospice and hope to continue to do so for many years to come.”

If you have a fundraising idea or an event planned and need help, please contact Terena Gill on 01935 709484 or email terena.gill@st-margarets-hospcie.org.uk.