A club has raised £2,500 for local primary schools after community bucket donations during Christmas Eve Carols.

The Rotary Club of Epping presented the cheque to be divided between six Epping primary schools in a ceremony last night in the United Reform Church.

The money was raised at the Christmas Carols in Epping town green which the club have helped organise since 2003.

Attendances to the concert have grown up to ten times since its inception as pupils from St John's School traditional songs from the back of a lorry.

Epping Club president Raz Zoers said: “The first year barely 300 people sang along with the local high school band, but this year nearly 3,000 were in attendance.

“We used to have to rely on DIY sound and lighting, now sponsorship enables us to have a more robust stage on a lorry.

“But it’s not all about the collection it’s about the community. The carols on the green has become a big event in our Christmas calendar, the townsfolk expect it to happen and we make sure it does.”

The cheque presentations were made last night by John Rowe, President of Epping Forest Rotary Club, who said:

"We are so grateful to the townsfolk of Epping for their donations. 

"Their generosity has enabled us to provide financial support to our local schools’ music departments."

In response St John's Headmaster George Yerosimou said: "Our students look forward to appearing on stage at this annual concert and help showcase the school in our community’.