Two charitable Braintree youngsters raised more than £900 for Dementia UK in memory of loved ones.

St John Payne School pupil Ella McGuinness, 12, lost her grandmother to the condition in 2017 and so decided to fundraise for the charity by carolling outside Sainsbury's, in Tofts Walk, Braintree.

She was joined by Tabor Academy pupil and old school friend Yazmyn Crick, whose grandmother also had dementia, and together the duo raised £933.73 across two days by singing classic festive songs and asking for donations from the public.

Ella's father Terry McGuinness said: "Ella hassled me for weeks to get it started so I contacted the charity who helped get us set up.

"We really want to thank the people of Braintree. We are over the moon with how much we raised.

"It is unbelievable how generous people were.

"People were coming up with £20 notes, it was absolutely brilliant."

Both girls, who live in Braintree, are accomplished singers and take lessons outside of school.

The carolling was such a success that the duo are hoping to return to Braintree town centre next Christmas.