Staff and partners at Lamont Pridmore have said the donations they received for their reverse advent calendar was the icing on the Christmas cake for their festive fundraiser for Carlisle Foodbank.

During the 24 days of advent, Lamont Pridmore challenged its team to make a donation of food and toiletries on each and every day which will be donated to the food bank in English Street to help those struggling during Christmas.

So far, the team at the award-winning Cumbrian firm are as happy as pigs in blankets with their donation of nappies, canned goods and chocolates for the local cause, but hope to collect even more before the big day.

Graham Lamont, chief executive of Lamont Pridmore, said: “We have had a cracker of a reverse advent campaign and our basket of donations is stuffed with yummy treats. Everyone has been getting really enthusiastic."

Carlisle Foodbank works with community groups, voluntary groups and faith groups to support people in the Carlisle area and relies almost entirely on voluntary donations.

Open Monday Wednesday and Friday between 1pm and 3pm the food bank, inside The Courts, Nisi Prius Building, has become a vital lifeline for many people within the town.

Chris Lamont, managing director of Lamont Pridmore’s Carlisle office and a partner at the firm, added: “I would like to thank all of the staff who have gone out of their way to donate to this cause. Christmas is all about giving and receiving gifts and I am so proud of our team."