HUNDREDS of people have enjoyed toy pig racing, cakes, festive music and Santa's grotto at a Christmas fayre for a school for young people with disabilities.

Victoria Education Centre, which is based on Lindsay Road in Branksome, hosted a range of activities from 10.30am to 2pm yesterday for children of all ages including raffles, tombola, a plant sale, games and face painting.

The aims was to raise as much money as possible for the school, which specialises in high-quality care and education for children and young people from the age of three to 19 with physical disabilities and complex medical or neurological conditions.

It is run by Livability, which is a national Christian disability and community engagement charity.

Simon Brown, head teacher of Victoria Education Centre, said: "Last year's event collected around £4,000 for the centre from around 400 people who attended.

"It is organised by the Friends of Victoria Education Centre (FoVEC) to raises money for the school and raise awareness within the local community.

"The school has probably held the event every year for the past 20 years and it has grown, which is great as there are always things that we need help to fund such as new projects and ideas.

"The Christmas Fayre is of huge importance to us. We have other events throughout the year, but this is the biggest one."

Families that came to visit the event included Mia Beasley, aged three, from Bearwood and her parents, and Jade Norris from Talbot Woods, Bethan Scott-Booker, and Jade's children, George, 11, who is a pupil at the school, Gracie, eight and Gabriella, four.

They queued to meet Father Christmas who was assisted by a host of elves and his helper, Alec Ross, 21, who was dressed as Willy Wonka from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Meanwhile Michael Graham from Verwood and his daughter, Abbie, 12, who goes to Victoria Education Centre, were guessing the number of chocolates in a jar and buying tickets for the event's tombola.