A Christingle Service will be held at St Mary's Church in Saffron Walden this weekend, to start their line-up of Christmas events.

The service will take place at 4pm on Sunday, December 8, and is particularly suitable for children.

The celebration is named after the Christingles that are lit during the service, which are made from an orange decorated with red tape, sweets and a candle.

Each element of a Christingle has a specific meaning and helps to tell the story of Christianity.

The orange represents the world, the red ribbon (or tape) symbolises the love and death of Christ, the sweets and dried fruit represent all of God's creation and the lit candle represents Jesus' light in the world.

At the service, a collection will be taken for the Children's Society.

St Mary's Church choir and friends are also going carol singing on Tuesday, December 10 - weather permitting.

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They will sing at two new play areas in Saffron Walden - on Campling Street at 7.30pm and on Howland Close at 8.20pm.

Anyone is welcome to join, and should dress up warmly and bring torch.

A traditional carol service will be held at the church at 6.30pm on Sunday, December 22.