The unwanted Christmas present stall run by All Saints Preservation Trust in Church Square was nearly blown away, but even so managed to raise nearly £700.

This year they are praying for fine weather with a target of £1,000.

“We have a huge quantity of items to sell once again, probably more than ever,” said organiser Terry Warburton.

“Nearly all are unopened and in their original packaging, so our stall will certainly be the place for a bargain.”

The stall will also be selling tickets for the trust's next venture, a Leighton Buzzard Open Gardens Day onJune 8.

Tickets giving admission to the 11 gardens are £3.50 in advance and £4 on the day from the church.

They are also inviting sealed bids exceeding £150 for a sculpture by local artist Valerie Kyle.

It is a “mobius loop” carved from wood salvaged from the tower of All Saints after the fire in 1985 and likely to be more than 500 years old.

The sculpture is set in a piece of Totternhoe clunch limestone, which is typical of stone used in the construction of the church. Bids can be handed in to the stall in envelopes marked “sculpture”, to the church office or sent to All Saints Preservation Trust, 30 Hockliffe Street, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1HJ, by June 9.

All the proceeds will help fund the next phase of work at All Saints, repairs to the south transept, likely to cost up to £100,000.