DEVIZES bank manager Nigel Holman got into the festive spirit by donning a Father Christmas costume to hand over a cheque for £500 to the Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation.

The money was contributed from HSBC Bank's community fund. Mr Holman said: "Despite this being the end of our financial year, we managed to find £500 for the foundation's Christmas appeal.

"We are very pleased to be able to support the foundation as it does so much for community groups."

The foundation has just launched a new three-year fund worth almost £600,000, including £258,000 from the European Social Fund.

Progress two will give grants to help severely disabled people to begin to find work.

The Euro cash will be matched by £315,000 from Wiltshire County Council and Swindon Council.