VILLAGERS in Castle Hedingham were treated to a festive display in the run up to Christmas.

Venues all around the village took part in the annual Living Advent Calendar trail event and since it was first launched in 2017, it has quickly become a mainstay of Christmas in Castle Hedingham.

The trail saw 24 different shops, pubs, houses and other buildings decorate their windows in a festive manner, unveiling them to the residents of Castle Hedingham one day at a time over advent.

Starting at the Bell Inn, on St James' Street, the advent calendar made it's way all around the village, stopping off at places like the Village Christmas Tree, Castle Hedingham Village Club and De Vere Primary School, before finishing at St Nicholas' Church on Christmas Eve, just in time for the nativity service.

Beverlee Sammon was a co-organiser of the annual event. She said: "In my opinion this years event was the strongest yet. Each window was showing a different approach and personality.

"It was lovely to see it develop each day with such a wide variety.

"The calendar really brought the community together and, alongside this years new village Christmas tree, it really brought the spirit of Christmas to Castle Hedingham."

There were concerns before the event that it might not be able to take place but, after a strong voice of support on social media, Beverlee took over responsibility for the trail from it's founder Joy Drury and helped make sure the event would go ahead.