THE festive season is under way as the Cards for Good Causes charity Christmas card shops open in Guiseley Library, Ilkley Visitor Information Centre and Otley Library.

The pop-up shops are part of a network of over 300 temporary shops run by Cards for Good Causes, the UK’s largest multi-charity Christmas card organisation. It represents more than 250 charities including Cancer Research UK, Barnardo’s, NSPCC, Alzheimer’s Society and RNLI. It has been a regular sight in Ilkley in the run up to Christmas and this year also has a presence in both Guiseley and Otley.

Shoppers can choose from hundreds of different Christmas card designs in Ilkley and Otley - as well as traditional advent calendars and candles, wrapping paper, gift tags, napkins and stocking fillers in Guiseley.

Shelley Mills, area organiser for Cards for Good Causes, said: “We have a lot of loyal supporters in Ilkley and hope this will grow in both Guiseley and Otley.

"Buying charity Christmas cards is one of the simplest ways to support good causes across the region this festive season. Sales of the cards not only generate funds with which the charities can make a real difference, but also purchasing and sending them helps raise awareness of the vital work these charities do. We would like to thank our hosts and look forward to welcoming shoppers old and new to our pop-ups this autumn.”

In the past ten years, charities have received more than £40 million from Cards for Good Causes, representing at least 70p in every pound, out of which charities have had to pay for the production and distribution of their Christmas cards and any VAT.

The shops can be found at: Guiseley Library, Otley Road (open during Library hours until December 23); Ilkley Visitor Information, Station Road (open during Visitor Information opening hours until December 23) and Otley Library (open during Library hours until December 23).

For further information about shops avisit www.cardsforcharity.co.uk, call 01264 361555.