SINCE the volunteer-run Pewsey Vale Crafts and Tea Room opened seven years ago, it has raised almost £9,000 for charity.

On Monday chairman and founder member Mary Ward presented cheques for more than £4,000 to a dozen organisations including the two village pre- school play groups, Puddleducks and Bubbles, which received £200 each.

The presentations marked the seventh anniversary of the village venture, which provides a service to villagers in the form of affordable beverages and snacks and ploughs its profits back into the community.

The £4,040 handed out was the biggest annual sharing-out of profits from the tea room, which displays and sells the work of vale craftspeople.

Mrs Ward, who had the idea of opening the shop, said: "We are not holding on to money for a rainy day as we did in the past so we have rather more to distribute this year."

Recipients included the Motor Neurone Society and the Parkinson's Disease Society. Mrs Ward handed donations to: Prospect Hospice (£200), Wiltshire Air Ambulance (£200), Pewsey-Gambia Link (£200), trees appeal in memory of founder member Delia Lay and Sue Swanton (£200), Bouverie Hall (£400), Pewsey Citizens Advice Bureau (£200), Pewsey Surgery equipment fund (£300).