Maldon Rotary Club is celebrating the generosity of the community after raising more money than ever for local charities.

The club recorded an increase of more than 40 per cent in revenue generated by the two major events it holds annually - the fireworks display in Promenade Park and Santa sleigh runs.

The club also held a plant sale, a chestnut stall during the Maldon Christmas fair, and Christmas street collections.

The money raised will now be distributed to various charities, most of which support people in the district.

A spokesperson for Maldon Rotary Club said: "The fireworks show in Promenade Park was a sell-out event with some 6,000 people enjoying our best-ever display.

"As the event is planned a year in advance, there was huge pressure on the organisers due to the Covid situation and threat of lockdowns.

"The smiles and thanks from departing guests made organising the event a pleasure.

"Our Santa sleigh began its 10 night journey around Maldon, Heybridge and Wickham Bishops in late November finishing on Saturday, 18 December, having raised over £7,000.

"Organisers were amazed and delighted by the huge increase in donations.

"Both of these events, together with our plant sale, chestnut stall at Maldon's Christmas fair and our Christmas street collections saw a large increase in donations and, for these, the club is hugely grateful for everyone's generosity."

The club distributed more than £20,000 to mainly local charities last year, which included donating laptops to primary schoolchildren in the town as they were stuck at home during lockdown.

Members also helped to collect donations for the Poppy Appeal and Marie Curie.

The spokesperson said: "We look forward to a bumper 2022 - Happy New Year."