St Mary's Church in Saffron Walden is holding a range of services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Two lighting of the Christmas tree services will take place on Christmas Eve, one at 4pm and one at 6pm, to accommodate the number of people expected to attend.

Children are welcome to dress up as shepherds or angels to take part in the Christmas story. 

Collections from the service will be shared between the mayor's charities: Uttlesford's Citizens Advice Bureau, Support for Sight and Accuro - which supports people with disabilities in west Essex.

Any presents brought to the service should be unwrapped, and will be donated to children at a women's refuge.

The church's youngest singing group, Joyful Noise, which is for children age six to eight, will be taking part in the service.

Further Christmas services include Midnight Holy Communion at 11.30pm on Christmas Eve and a family Christmas communion service at 10am on Christmas Day.

The Christmas Day service will also be livestreamed on YouTube.

In the New Year, an Epiphany carol service will be held on Sunday, January 29 to celebrate the visit of the wise men to baby Jesus. This service will also be livestreamed on YouTube.