A group of volunteers gave up an hour of their Christmas Eve to help raise money for Christian Aid.

More than 40 people gathered outside of Barclays Bank in South Street, Dorchester to sing carols between 9.30am and 10.30am.

Meanwhile, generous members of the public dropped spare change into their buckets.

Tony Boyden, Chairman of Christian Aid – Dorchester District, said he was very impressed by the turnout.

He said: “We had more than 40 people this year, which was really good.

“There were people from all of the different churches in Dorchester. It’s a good way of getting us all together.

“We were there for just over an hour. Christian Aid has been doing it for years, way before I started working with them.

“We managed to raise more than £305 in just an hour, which I think is pretty good going, people were very generous.”

Mr Boyden says the money will be used to help Christian Aid’s work in countries impacted by war or natural disaster.

He said: “The fundraiser was held just after the Tsunami struck Indonesia and I think it was still very clear in people’s minds.

“It has been one heck of a year for disasters and the impact of war. Christian Aid has gone to all the major trouble spots which have been affected. But the Tsunami Appeal is where I think most of the money will go towards.”

To find out more about the Indonesia Tsunami Appeal visit christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/indonesia-tsunami-appeal