Shoppers urged to get out their Christmas jumpers for charity

They’re the jumpers we all love to hate – and love to wear as the festive fun begins in earnest.

Plymouth is about to turn into a city of gaudy Christmas pullover lovers – all in aid of local and national charities.

It doesn’t matter what they’re festooned with, from reindeer to robins, snowflakes to Christmas trees – as long as jumper wearers turn out in force on Saturday, December 9.

The annual Christmas Jumper Day at Drake Circus, which is entering its fourth year, has been getting more and more popular.

And the money raised in 2017 will go to four charities - St Luke’s Hospice, the Shekinah Mission, the Mountbatten Centre and the Alzheimer’s Society.

The more gaudy, outrageous and twinkly the better as the city’s premier shopping  centre – and its staff - pay homage to the hand-knitted jumpers once popular as gifts from elderly relatives.

Drake Circus Centre Director Greg Lumley said: “Our Christmas Jumper Day has really taken off and it’s always great to see so many people getting involved.

“The hand-knitted and shop bought jumpers are always a wonderful sight to behold with 3D effects, bright colours or festooned with decorations and twinkles.

“It really is a lot of fun and our staff always look forward to seeing who has the best of the worst. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to raise money for some really worthwhile causes.”

Last year’s Christmas Jumper Day raised nearly £500 for St Luke’s but organisers are hoping to smash the record for the fourth year running.

Christmas jumpers gained novelty status a few years ago with online retailer Amazon reporting an increase in sales of 600 per cent in 2011.

They are now on sale in most High Street retailers and even top end fashion labels like Burberry and Jil (CRRCT) Sander have been “jumpering” on the bandwagon.

Visitors on December 9 can donate money in buckets held by volunteers at one of the many collection points dotted around Drake Circus.