TENS of thousands of pounds have been raised for charities and good causes at car boot sales organised through Bedale Town Council. As community projects go it's pretty foolproof, volunteers get up at the crack of dawn and organise the car boot sale, with a little help, and they get to keep not only a lot of the takings from cars and vehicles but whatever they can collect in buckets.

Next year Bedale Town Council is expecting to hold 32 sales between March and October. Applications from charities and good causes have already closed, far more than there are car boot sales so in January the council will hold the grand draw. There are 28 local groups who have made applications and 12 from outside the town. Local ones get priority, with two sales going to Bedale bonfire which is run through the town council.

Once local groups have been given a date ones from outside the town go into the draw, although there are only a few places left.

For groups such as Bedale Community Library, or the Scouts and Guides, the money can make all the difference helping to keep them going or raising money for special events or equipment. The Council keeps the whole thing as simple as possible, with volunteer groups cleaning up and making sure the park is clear of vehicles.

For the town it's become a major draw bringing in large numbers of visitors and while the debate rages on over how much people then spend in the high street there is no doubt the event creates a huge amount of interest and vitality. The one thing of course which can scupper it all is the glorious British weather, but that's the tune we all end up having to dance too.