Basildon Council employees got into the festive spirit and put on their favourite Christmas jumpers to raise more than £240 for charity.

Staff were encouraged to wear their wackiest winter warmers yesterday in return for a £1 donation towards the mayor’s two chosen charities for the year.

This year councillor David Harrison is supporting Be Child Cancer Aware, which provides support to children and families affected by cancer, and the Polly Parrot Appeal, which raises funds to improve the children’s wards at Basildon Hospital.

He said: “It was great to see so many employees at the Basildon Centre getting into the festive spirit and supporting these brilliant local charities which are close to my heart. Christmas is a time when we should think of children who are sick or less fortunate and it is brilliant to know that members of staff share my desire to make a difference.”