SALES of a festive CD to raise funds for a West Somerset charity hit the halfway mark just a few days before Christmas.

Teenager Hannah Thompson, from Wheddon Cross, put her musical talents to good use to record a compilation of 22 songs telling the Christmas story in aid of the West Somerset Food Cupboard.

And at least 500 copies of the 1,000 produced were snapped up ahead of the festive break.

Hannah, 14, an accomplished singer who has won a number of Somerset Fellowship of Drama awards, was moved to make the CD after realising that some West Somerset families would struggle to put food on the table over the Christmas break.

The West Somerset Food Cupboard has handed out more than 2,000 food parcels to people in need since it was set up in 2007.

Hannah's mother Jill Thompson, a friend of the charity's co-ordinator Christine Payne, said Hannah had just wanted to help.

"We are pleased that sales of the CD are going well," said Jill.

"It's hard work but the response has been terrific."

The CD, which also features local organist and choirmaster Keith Jones on the piano, is on sale at more than 20 outlets across the district, from Budgens and the Rest and Be Thankful in Wheddon Cross to the Tantivy in Dulverton and Andrew Priddy Photography, Toucan and butcher and farm shop Stuart Lowen in Minehead at a cost of £5.