IT'S not yet Christmas . . but that hasn't stopped these organisers of Huddersfield's St Patrick's Day Parade starting their fundraising campaign.

The big day may seem a long way off but event manager Joan St John, pictured front) with her committee, want to make sure they don't disappoint.

Sunday, March 14 will see Huddersfield's fourth St Patrick's Day Parade take place. Last year the parade attracted 3,000 partygoers. The coming year promises to be just as good.

Organisers estimate £15,000 will be needed to stage the event. The group also hopes to receive some form of statutory funding.

To kick off, the group are selling Irish themed merchandise in the run-up to Christmas.

Tomorrow and Sunday see a sale in the Irish Centre in Fitzwillam Street followed by a sale in the St Patrick's Centre, Trinity Street, next Friday. .

The Irish Centre is also the venue for a Christmas party on December 20, where tickets are £2.

John McLaughlin, treasurer of the St Patrick's Day Parade, promised the event would include a great deal of singing and dancing.

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