A LIVING advent calendar is set to become a village tradition.

Throughout the 24 days of advent, a number of different homes and local businesses in Castle Hedingham will be adopting a Swedish tradition, by unveiling their own festive window displays one by one.

The advent event was started last year by Joy Drury and was a huge success.

She said: “Last year we had so much interest in the Living Advent Calendar, we had to run it again."

"There has been plenty of excitement and anticipation to see if they could get involved and to see what people will create.

"I personally can’t wait to see what creative windows people will come up with this year.

"People contact me at the start of the year wanting to do a window, it is about 80 percent different houses this year, most of the places that are the same are the businesses."

This year De Vere Primary School have joined in the festivities this year, and will be creating their illumination to be revealed on December 19.

The seasons of unveiling starts at 6pm on December 1 at St James Street and all of the events will be live streamed to the Castle Hedingham Living Advent Calendar Facebook page.

The final window on Christmas Eve will be at St Nicholas Church, as last year, before the annual Nativity service.

Mrs Drury added: "Some people said they would let someone else do it this year because they did it last year, but they know their neighbour wants to have a go.

"There is about three or four people already waiting for next year and after the first reveal and people see how popular it is I get a lot of requests."

"It's a great way for people to get to know each other and socialise."

A map trail, which features the locations of all the decorated windows, will be available around the village from The Bell Inn, The Wheatsheaf, The Social Club and featured in the local Parish magazine.