More than £6,000 was raised for Fortalice through the annual Christmas gift wrapping event in Bolton Marketplace.

The yearly occurrence is organised by volunteer, Gene Spurr, and her team of helpers.

Staff at the shopping centre supported the event by helping to set up stalls, encouraging customers to get involved, and supplying wrapping paper, and an army of Fifth Legion Stormtroopers also stepped in to help.

Gill Smallwood, chief executive of Fortalice, the local women's refuge, said: “Marketplace’s continued support for the event helped Gene to raise a grand total of £6213.67 for our charity this year, bringing the total raised over the years to £116,454.

“Gene would like to give a special thank you to Marketplace staff – who were an invaluable, fantastic support to her team of wrappers.”

Fortalice provides frontline services for women, young people and children affected by domestic abuse.

They have 22 self-contained flats in the refuge, accommodating 22 women, with a capacity for up to 70 children.

The Outreach Support Centre supported approximately 2200 individuals across Bolton last year across 19 projects.