Mulled wine and mince pies were on offer at Harpenden Reuse Centre in a charity Christmas fair to celebrate raising a milestone £25,000 this week.

Care home charity, Sue Ryder, welcomed more than 100 people including chairman of Hertfordshire County Council, Jane Pitman, to commemorate the branch’s success since opening in March.

The shop, located on the Dark Lane recycling site, runs in partnership with the council.

Children from Grove Junior School made their mark with home-made Christmas tree decorations and there was face painting and a host of stalls.

Jinny Shoosmith, area manager for the Sue Ryder store, said that the event went "extremely well".

She said: "It encourages people to recycle. That’s what it’s all about."

The shop, which has made an average of more than £2,500 a month since opening, was described by Ms Shoosmith as a "unique unit" and the "first of its kind".

The international charity provides healthcare for patients needing long-term care all across the country and even as far afield as Malawi and Albania.