Shoppers got their Christmas present buying underway at an indoor craft and gift market.

Forklift driver Andy Turfkruyer organised the event at Burnham Village Hall today.

"It went extremely well, it was busy right from the off and it was busy for the whole four hours," he said.

"It was incredible, I was really happy.

"We probably had about 20 stallholders who were all local. The furthest came from Southend."

He estimated a few hundred people attended.

Sixth formers at Ormiston Rivers Academy in Burnham are raising money for a permanent memorial to former pupil Private John Thrumble, of Mayland, who was killed in August 2007 when a US aircraft dropped a 500lb bomb. He was 21.

Stallholder Kim Newman Clark donated the proceeds from her stall to the fund, and Mr Turfkruyer is also giving all money raised from the 50p market entrance fee.