A charity in Saunderton raised over £9,000 during its annual Christmas market.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, based at The Grange in Wycombe Road, spread festive cheer at its Christmas market on Friday, November 28 and Saturday, November 29.

Visitors got into the Christmas spirit with complementary mulled punch and mince pies, enjoyed carols by the Singing and Signing Choir and shopped for Christmas gifts at the range of stalls, which even sold treats for four-legged friends.

On Saturday, Santa Claus and his elves visited the Winter Wonderland to spread some Christmas cheer for young visitors.

Local celebrity Toby Anstis, who grew up in Maidenhead, turned up with his parents to open the market.

The Heart FM DJ said: “We used to come up here a lot when I was younger, to the Hellfire Caves. I love it out here, it really is a beautiful area and the dogs are spoilt with such an amazing space to run around in.

“It’s an eye opener. I’m new to this charity and it’s really great to be involved. I wasn’t aware there were dogs that are trained to help the hard of hearing. It really is amazing how the dogs are trained, it’s an incredible place.

“I’m a massive dog lover; I grew up around dogs, so this charity is perfect for me. When I arrived I was met by three gorgeous hearing dogs and we had lots of cuddles! They get so much love here, it’s paradise for them.”

The charity trains its hearing dogs from eight weeks old and the whole process takes between 16 and 18 months, including living with their volunteer puppy socialiser and then 16 to 18 weeks of sound work training.

Toby said: “It’s such a great charity; it’s an amazing achievement being able to fully train a dog to support a hard of hearing person in such a short time.”

The Christmas market also marked the launch of the Pup-mobile, a £15,000 van which was funded through a public crowdfunding campaign earlier in the year and will transport dogs and puppies of all ages across the UK to help deaf people.

Melanie Tyrer, events manager at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, said: “We are delighted that celebrity supporter Toby Anstis came to open our Christmas Market and we look forward to seeing him here at The Grange again soon! The event was a huge success and we’d like to thank everyone who came along to join in with the festive fun.

“We have raised over £9,000 from the event which will help us to train more hearing dog puppies and change the lives of deaf people across the UK. You can still help raise funds for Hearing Dogs this Christmas by sponsoring a hearing dog puppy as a gift for a loved one.”