A VILLAGE is making its own advent calendar using the windows of homes and businesses.

A total of 24 home owners, pub landlords and businesses in Castle Hedingham will be decorating their windows and unveiling them on their given date in December.

The concept, which originated in Sweden, will run from December 1 where the first window will be opened on St James’ Street.

The final window will be unveiled on Christmas Eve at St Nicholas Church, King Street, where the children of Castle Nursey will be performing their nativity player later that evening.

Organiser Joy Drury, who along with her two sons and husband Simon will be unveiling the first window from their home, said: “This is the first year Castle Hedingham will be creating a living advent calendar.

“I thought it would work well in Castle Hedingham as it’s quite a quaint little village and there’s a good community feel about it.”

A map showing where and what day each window will be unveiled is available from the Bell Inn, the Wheatsheaf and The Social Club.

Mrs Drury added: “It’s a new thing to the village but people have responded and are really excited about getting involved. I have tried to accommodate everyone but we were oversubscribed 20 minutes after I posted the idea on Facebook.

“The pressure is on me now to do a good job of the first window.”

A walking tour of the advent windows will take place on Saturday, December 23.

The tour will start from the social club in Church Lane from 3.30pm. Proceeds will go towards St Nicholas Church and community group Crafty Nannas. To find out more visit facebook.com/groups/castlehedinghamlivingadvent/.