CHRISTMAS came early at Colchester’s historic Moot Hall when it played host to a wonderful Christmas craft fair.

Simply Events staged a hand-made craft fair on Saturday, allowing festive shoppers the chance to get their hands on some home-made goods.

Organisers said there were a range of stalls offering an “inspired” selection of unique, quality and handmade creations.

To kick off the festive season, stallholders offered up goods including pottery, soaps, art, photography, jewellery, cards, textiles, glasswares and homewares.

A spokesman said: “This was a Christmas craft fair hosting a lot of home-made crafts and their makers.

“There was also the chance to relax and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee along with a selection of home-made baked cakes and light lunches.

“Shoppers were given the chance to buy a unique gift that they just won’t find on the High Street.”

Artists were on hand to offer up their own prints and paintings, while some stalls were selling homemade teddy bears.

Homemade Christmas cards were on sale as shoppers geared up for the inevitable festive frenzy in December.

The historic town hall venue, which was built in 1898 and opened in 1902, is used as a function room and has been the focus of civic duties ever since.