THURCASTON: Elves took over The Studio at Richard Hill School and turned it into Santa's Grotto.

Home-made cakes did a brisk trade, while hundreds of home-made mince pies were eaten.

Various stalls provided gift ideas while the face painters and nail artists were kept busy. The event raised more than £1,600 for PTA funds.

LEICESTER: Leicester Caledonian Society swelled the congregation of St Stephen's United Reformed church, De Montfort Street for a St Andrew's day service on November 29 led by Christian Jones.

After the service, members enjoyed a carvery lunch at the Ramada Jarvis hotel and were piped in to dine by the re-formed Leicester Caledonian Society Pipe band led by Brad Yates.

CASTLE DONINGTON: North West Leicestershire District Councillor Trevor Pendleton, explained his role to parish councillors. Coun Pendleton is northern parishes representative on the district council and said that he would be happy to represent the parish's views.

WIGSTON: A charity is looking for people to donate old tools.

Tools for Self Reliance enables people in Africa to work their way out of poverty by providing them with tools and training.

The charity, which has a collection point at the rear of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council offices, Station Road, is short of blacksmiths', carpentry, metal working and building tools.

If you have tools to donate, or would like to help restoring items, call Dave on 0116 271 7407, or Roy on 0116 259 2580.

COALVILLE: Virtuoso organist John Bowdler will be at the Charnwood Arms, Bardon Hill, on December 8. John is resident organist at Blackpool Tower. The concert starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 on the door.

GLENFIELD: Edmunds & Slatter Opticians is supporting Leicestershire hospice Loros by collecting stamps. Staff are collecting used English and foreign stamps in a sealed envelope marked "Loros Stamps'' which can be left at their branch in Stamford Street, Glenfield.

HUSBANDS BOSWORTH: Organisers of a Christmas Festival in All Saints Church in the village hailed it a success. More than 40 displays decorated the church over the weekend. The weekend raised more than £1,500 for church funds.