TELEVISION presenter Nick Hewer is supporting this year's NSPCC Christmas fair.

The host of Channel 4's Countdown, who is now appearing in his tenth series of BBC's The Apprentice, will attend the three-day event at Castle Howard next month.

Nick said: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to support such a worthwhile cause as the NSPCC.

“I look forward to visiting both Castle Howard and the NSPCC Christmas Fair, which I’ve heard so much about, for the first time. The money raised helps children who are abused and vulnerable across Yorkshire and I urge anyone with the time to come along and help raise more funds by starting off your Christmas shopping alongside me at this wonderful fair.”

The fair, which is the biggest fundraiser for the NSPCC in the North East, the Fair will have 65 stalls ranging from toys to books, jewellery, gardening, men’s and ladies clothes, kitchen and homeware, to food and drink.

Income from ticket sales, sponsors and donations, raffle tickets, and 10% of each stall holder’s takings all go direct to the charity.

This year, the Fair has been extended to three days to include a Saturday to attract a wider crowd in the hope it will beat its record £40,000 raised.

It starts with a preview evening on Thursday, November 6, and runs from 9.30am to 5pm on Friday, November 7, and 9.30am - 3pmon Saturday, November 8.

Sponsors of the 2014 Fair include The Rowse Family Trust, JM Finn & Co Investment Management, TATE Residential, Rodgers of York, The Feathers hotel in Helmsley and The Orangery Settrington.

Tickets are now on sale for the preview event by visiting www.nspcccastlehowardchristmasfair.co.uk

Day tickets can be bought on the door or booked on-line in advance.