A HOSPICE charity celebrating its 20th anniversary is to benefit from an early Christmas shopping event.

Lewis and Cooper’s Christmas Food and Drink festival always attracts hundreds to its Northallerton store on the first Sunday of each November.

Over the last 25 years the event has raised many thousands of pounds for a wide range of good causes and this year the chosen charity is Herriot Hospice Homecare, which provides care to patients with life-limiting illnesses in their own homes across Hambleton and Richmondshire.

The event, on November 4 from 10am-4pm, will be formally opened by Rosie Page,a retired Thirsk GP - and daughter of James Herriot author Alf Wight – who has worked with the charity for many years.

Entry is free, with donations to Herriot Hospice Homecare encouraged. A tombola and other fundraising efforts will also help fill the charitable coffers.