CHRISTMAS shopping started early at Southend Hospital with a bazaar.

Hospital supporters Maureen Townley and Linda Ansell organised the sale in the hospital's Outpatients Department and raised more than £1,300 for the StrokeBusters Appeal.

Maureen and Linda, both from Thorpe Bay, have been raising money for the hospital for more than 20 years and in the past seven months since the launch of StrokeBusters have raised more than £17,000 through their weekly Thursday stall.

Maureen said; "We are delighted with the amount of money raised for this very important appeal. Our army of helpers and supporters have been brilliant."

The appeal aims to raise cash for the hospital's stroke department.