Christian Aid Week in Newent has being hailed as a great success.

The rector of St Mary's, the Rev. Robert Simpson, said the total raised was expected to be in the region of £3,000.

St Mary's set up shop in town, at the old toy shop in Church Street, and the sale of second hand goods there put £1,200 into the pot.

The sale of Traidcraft "fair trade" goods added a further £125 and money from street collections is still to be added up.

Mr Simpson said: "We hope to raise £3,000 all together, and we think we are on target."

Another £100 was added through the performance given at St Mary's on May 3 by the Gloucestershire Operatic and Dramatic Society. Half the proceeds went to Christian Aid and the rest to the ongoing Church Piano Fund.

The church's £3,000 piano, purchased several years ago, was paid for out of church reserves. A number of events have been organised to help replenish the money used.