A village has become a life-sized advent calendar.
On telegraph poles throughout the long, thin village of Great Horkesley, the days till Christmas are being counted down.
As each day passes, a number is replaced with a picture of the message of Christmas.
The idea has come from Penny Horseman, wife of the village vicar and a Church Army sister who works for the Bishop of Colchester.
She said: "The Christmas message began on the streets with Mary and Joseph looking for somewhere to stay.
"I thought it would be a lovely idea to put it back on the streets."
The December 22 window will be opened before carol services at All Saints' Church, while the Christmas Eve window will be opened twice - at a St John's Church Welcome to Christmas service and a midnight service at All Saints'.
Published Friday, December 13, 2002
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