HAPPY Huts are bringing Christmas Cheer in Castle Hedingham.

The friends of St Nicholas Church hosted a crafty workshop, where guests could make their own "happy hut".

A happy hut is a concept created by Anne Nelson, who organised the event.

She said: "Happy Hut is the name that I gave to the little 3D cardboard creations.

"I was on a design team for someone who used to advertise on the Hochanda channel on TV and was inspired by a beach hut template that we were given to play with.

The happy hut designs were my own take on the concept."

Between the 11 crafters who attended, eight happy huts were made.

Anne added: "The Christmas happy huts are just one display alongside the 25 trees that will be on display in the church at the Christmas Tree Festival.

Michelle Jackson Mogford, who used to work with Anne and is well known in the crafting world, has also made a happy hut to add to the display at the festival.

Michelle's hut will be for sale, with proceeds going toward the St Nicholas Chancel Roof Repair Fund.

"I organised the craft workshop for several reasons: to add something different to the tree festival, to encourage folk to get crafting as it has many health benefits, both mentally and physically, plus we raised a few more pennies for the Chancel Roof Repair fund."

The finished creations can all be seen at the Christmas Tree Festival in St Nicholas Church this coming weekend.