A fundraiser for the St James Church Hall roof and stage proved to be a success at the weekend with more than 25 vendors taking part.

A range of local goods such as art, produce, cedar works, food and stuffed toys were available for purchase at the “Market Mall”, set up on the grounds at the St James Rectory by Somerset Bridge.

The goal of the event was to help to raise funds to repair the church’s roof and stage, both of which were extensively damaged by Hurricanes Fay and Gonzalo last October.

Repair work is already under way, and is expected to be completed this summer.

Warden and chairman of the Friends of St James, Geoffrey Butler-Durrant, said the Market Mall was not only a success for the church, but provided vendors with a suitable location to operate in the West end.

Mr Butler-Durrant added: “The plans to host a vendors market at the Long Bay Beach facilities in Sandys had been shelved and so we thought it was important to offer a solution and the rectory grounds were made available.”

Due to the success of the event, he said the Market Mall was going to become a quarterly event, with the goal of becoming a monthly event in the future.

The next Market Mall is due to be held in October.