FUNDS raised at this year's Bearsted and Thurnham Carnival and Fayre have been presented to two deserving local causes.

The Maidstone Christian Care Centre, in Ashford Road, and Maidstone Children's Centre, in Union Street, each received £1,500 of money raised at the fayre in June.

From the remaining funds, cheques of between £100 and £250 were distributed to various Bearsted and Thurnham groups, including local footballs clubs and girl guides.

The Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Morel D'Souza, attended the cheque presentation at the Territorial Army 124 Squadron headquarters.

Cllr Pat Marshall, president of the Bearsted and Thurnham Fayre Committee, also attended the event. She said: "We manage to raise money like this every year.

"In fact we raised a lot more than we gave out because all the village organisations that take part retain 50 per cent of the profits for themselves. Then they donate the rest to the community. In total we raised about £7,000.

"The TA very kindly loaned us their premises for the second year so I would like to say thank you to them."