Families are being encouraged to think about the true meaning of Christmas at a village's live nativity event.

Christmas Alive is returning to the village of Ashill for another year of interactive festivities to remind communities why we celebrate Christmas.

The free event will recreate the place where Jesus was born with a living Bethlehem village, from 4pm to 6pm, Saturday December 14 to Sunday December 15, at the Fountain of Life Church.

Visitors will be taken back to ancient times as they wander around the village market, enjoying the sights, aromas and flavours from the holy city.

There will be live nativity animals, including donkeys, sheep and goats, as well as hands on activities to entertain the whole family.

Visit the carpenter, stone mason and potter and weave a Christmas wreath with the basket weaver or sing and dance ancient Jewish songs around the campfire.

Watch the Apothecary making potions and make bread with the Baker's wife and cook it on an open fire.

Families will also be able to taste authentic middle eastern food and enjoy refreshments of mulled wine and mince pies.

Actors from the church will perform Scrooge 'reworked', a take on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, which will take place at 3pm and 6pm, on Saturday and Sunday, along with original music and puppetry.

Rachel Kehoe, is a member of the Church and volunteer who organised the event, she said: "If people come just to see a lovely thing but we want hearts to be changed and for people to really know the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate it.

"The event started off very small with just a few stalls and a small drama within the carol service but now we take over the whole car park to create the Bethlehem village.

"Last year we did the production of scrooge and people loved it so much we are doing it again but with new surprises.

"It's a chance for people to think about their own lives, what they are doing, and how they can look to Jesus to make it better."

For tickets book via email at registration@folchurch.co.uk