WORSHIPPERS are set to gather to observe a festive fundraising tradition for charity.

St Oswald's Church will hold its annual Christingle service at 5pm on Sunday, December 16.

Now in its 50th year, the Christingle celebration that takes place in thousands of churches and schools across the country, supporting the work of the Children’s Society.

St Oswald’s held its first Christingle in 1970 and was among the first 20 churches in Britain to do so.

Everyone receives a Christingle during the service which includes prayers, readings, hymns and carols and an opportunity to donate to the Children’s Society. At the centre of the service is the all-important lighting of the Christingles.

The Reverend Harvey Gibbons said: "With your help, Christingle raises vital funds to help children who are facing Christmas alone and are unable to cope.

"Because Christingle was specifically created with children in mind, the celebrations are the perfect event for children and families and can be enjoyed by people of all ages – especially if they don't regularly attend church."