More than 4,000 presents prepared ready for Christmas grottoes near Horsham and in Hassocks

Rebecca Houghton-Knapp from family-run Tates Garden Centres said in a single day helpers managed to wrap over 4,000 presents for the charity grottoes, run by The Budding Foundation.

The village hall added 36 volunteers working hard for some ten hours to wrap the gifts.

Rebecca said: “A huge thank you to everyone who gave up their time today to make this possible.

“Obviously it is a difficult year this year, but the Budding Foundation is hoping to raise as much money as possible with their two charity grottoes – Santa’s Enchanted Forest at Old Barn Garden Centre near Horsham and Santa’s Grotto at South Downs Nurseries in Hassocks.”

“As long as there are no further announcements or restrictions from the government, the team said it is hoping to open its grottoes in December once lockdown has been lifted.

Last year the grottoes raised £43,000 to help children’s projects across the area.