Society staff dress the part as Santa and his helpers settle into their Grotto.

On Tuesday 5th December, retailers in Newmarket joined the town's annual late night shopping extravaganza, extending their normal opening hours and encouraging staff to wear fancy dress. Staff from the Society's Newmarket team transformed a section of their branch into Santa's Grotto, and staff from both the branch and the Society's Head Office dressed up as a variety of Christmas characters, Father Christmas included.

The evening was a roaring success. Around 45 children visited the branch to receive a present from Mr & Mrs Christmas and a further 60 Society customers came in to enjoy mince pies and a glass of wine. For a small donation of £2, each child received a small gift and had the chance to tell Father Christmas what he or she wanted for Christmas. As well as the Santa's Grotto, the branch offered face painting for £1 and gave out free helium balloons. In total, the branch raised £162.41, which will be donated to the 'Little Warblers Playgroup' in Great Wilbraham who are in desperate need of funds.

The icing on the Christmas cake for the Cambridge Building Society was to receive the event's 'Best Fancy Dress' award. The competition was judged by the Mayor of Newmarket and the Society staff were presented with a bottle of champagne and a trophy.

The Newmarket branch would like to thank everyone who visited the branch and made the evening such a success.