THE usual four-legged animals that normally fill the main ring at Hopes Auction Mart at Wigton were missing.

In their place were donkeys, there as part of the Christmas festivities organised by the Cumbria branch of the farming charity, RABI.

The committee held Carol Services at both Wigton and Cockermouth. Their planned event at Borderway Mart in Carlisle, was sadly cancelled for Covid reasons.

The organising committee said they would like to thank all those who came to Wigton and also the Carol Service they held at Mitchells, Cockermouth the following Monday.

"It was lovely to see old and new faces alike and to be royally entertained by The Allerdale Fiddlers and the Cockermouth Mechanics band who provided the musical accompaniment for the respective evenings," said chair, Nicki Quayle.

Despite lower numbers for covid reasons the two events raised in the region of £3500 which included support from a number of local companies.

Nicki Quayle added ‘We are always amazed at how popular these events are but particularly during these difficult times it was good for the local community to get together and enjoy a ‘craic’ with their friends and neighbours.

'We are indebted to the everyone who attended and to the many firms who so kindly support these event without whom it would not be possible to raise such a magnificent amount.

'All monies raised in Cumbria stays in Cumbria so we know what it will go towards helping people in our own farming community’.