MUSICIANS aged between nine and 80 gathered in Wimborne to raise money for people trapped in poverty around the world.

The performers entertained crowds outside Waitrose as part of Christian Aid's #LightTheWay appeal.

Their efforts raised almost £300 for the campaign.

Tom Saunders, group secretary of Wimborne's Christian Aid branch, conducted the recorder group.

He said: "Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador said, ‘It is not the will of God for some to have everything and others to have nothing.

'This cannot be God’.

“The kindness of those who gave freely of their time to perform at Waitrose unlocked the cheerful generosity of local people.

“If the scandal of poverty is to be brought to an end it will be by the small actions of the many, knowing that they must play their part, rather than by our expectations that someone else will act on our behalf.”

Members of Bournemouth U3A's recorder group and handbell ringers from St Michael's Middle School in Colehill performed seasonal classics at lunchtime, before the Ferndown Ladies Choir sang later in the day.

Christian Aid’s Dorset co-ordinator Stephen Dominy said: “Home life takes on an extra special significance at Christmas time, but for the 65 million people who are escaping danger and insecurity, the comfort of home is a distant memory.

“It was amazing to see the groups come together and offer not only a wonderful festive atmosphere for the shoppers but also send out a signal of hope to those caught up in the worst global displacement crisis of our time.

“Christian Aid was founded 70 years ago to support refugees in the wake of the Second World War, and continues to support those searching for safety today, including people from not only the war-torn nations that we hear about on the news such as Syria and Iraq but also countries such as South Sudan, DRC and Nigeria.

“The performances brought the collection to life. Thank you to everyone who took part and to Waitrose and all those who contributed to the appeal.”