Star actresses Vanessa Redgrave and her daughter Joely Richardson made a surprise visit to the Grayshott Christmas Market on Saturday and stole the show. Before paying a visit to see Santa in his Magical Grotto, Joely, speaking to a packed village hall of shoppers thanked Grayshott for making them feel so welcome and promptly received a round of thunderous applause.

Joely congratulated Ann Myers and her helpers in organising such a wonderful village event saying "Not many villages have businesses and organisations that provide an event where children have free rides and a free gift from Santa".

Afterwards Vanessa browsed the many stalls of gifts and crafts making the most of their visit. This years market had been held in the village hall for the first time after two successive washout years in the Pub garden and it proved a winning formula with stall holders and shoppers sheltered form the elements. All that is except the the traditional Kaighins & Daughters hog roast and Santa's carousel outside.

Over 30 stall holders filled out the main and small halls with Santa's Grotto built by John & Julie Bevis of Magical Rooms on the stage. Santa this year played by Harry Murphy was there to hand out free gifts to the stream of excited children.

The Square Group were serving mulled wine and mince pies to raise funds for the refurbishment of the square.

Gordon Sanderson was selling stamps for the St Luke's Christmas Card Delivery Service in aid of the Organ Restoration Appeal to send yours to friends and family within the Parish Boundary. More stamps and postal boxes are at Kaighin & Daughter, Grayshott Books and St Luke's Church.

The Christmas Market was supported by Buy In Grayshott and sponsored by The Royal School. More photos of the Christmas Market can be seen in the Grayshott Gallery