WHILE many will have started opening their advent calendars to chocolate each day this month, people in Eccleston will be gathering round homes to help spread the real message of Christmas.

Twenty-four homes in the area will take it in turns to light-up a decorated window each evening during Advent, to slowly reveal the story of Christmas.

Christ Church, Newtown URC and St Luke’s churches have worked together to launch the new venture.

Throughout Advent, from December 1 to 24, a newly decorated window is being lit up around the Eccleston area each evening from 6 to 8pm.

The windows will tell the story of the first Christmas with a new window added each day until all are lit.

The first window was at Christ Church Vicarage on Chapel Lane, with carol singing forming part of the launch celebrations.

The final window will be lit on Christmas Eve and unveiled at Christ Church as part of the Crib Service, beginning at 4pm.

There will be outdoor seasonal refreshments also available to enjoy at many of the locations throughout the month.

Sue Kirkham, who has organised the project, said: “I heard about the scheme being done in Nottingham last year and thought it seemed like a great idea, so I spoke to the PCC about it and we decided we should give it a go here in Eccleston.

"We hope lots of people will come and visit the windows as they are lit – it will be a lovely, memorable way of marking the approach to Christmas that children and adults alike can enjoy.”

A leaflet, giving the locations and switch on dates of each window, is available from each of the churches and can also be found on Christ Church Advent Windows Facebook page and Christ Church website.