A Santa's grotto run by members of the community will raise money for the hospice.

Charity champion Midge Barber, who was crowned Macclesfield’s Volunteer of the Year for her work for East Cheshire Hospice, is urging shoppers to help raise funds by visiting the grotto at the Grosvenor Centre and help beat last year’s total of £1,000.

The theme for the grotto is an enchanted forest and there are 30 twinkling trees.

Samantha Hatton is the woman behind the grotto after deciding to do it four years ago and Micky Jones from PR Jones jewellers provides the funds for the presents. Cheshire Curtains donated the material for the painted backdrops and businessman Faris Mousa donated the money to buy the trees.

Midge, who lives off Crompton Road, said: “Every penny raised for the hospice is vital. It costs £7,500 a day to keep the hospice open.

“It seems everybody knows somebody who has been helped by the hospice. It touches so many people.”

The grotto is open every weekend until December 20 and costs £5 per child to visit Santa and receive a gift, with entrance for siblings costing £4.