BLACKBURN Cathedral will host daily carol events by groups from all areas of the community in the run-up to Christmas.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, the Lancashire Telegraph, East Lancashire Hospice, Blackburn College and many primary and junior schools are just a selection of those with services planned between now and Christmas Eve.

Christopher Armstrong, Dean of Blackburn, said: “We couldn’t be busier. We’ve had to turn people requesting services away because we can only handle so many.

“Secular groups from all over Lancashire have been in contact because we can offer such a great space and the music made here is fantastic.”

The cathedral’s own annual service will be held on December 23 and will see its own choir sing by candlelight.

Dean Armstrong said: “It is the most important service and everybody is welcome.”

The Telegraph’s service will have a fireworks display and be performed by the Cathedral Choristers, the Girl’s Choir and the Salvation Army Band, on Thursday, December13.

“The Telegraph’s is very popular,” said the Dean.

“It works well with people doing late-night shopping. We get people coming in with carrier bags full of presents. The fireworks are fantastic and there’s always a very relaxed atmosphere, it’s lovely.

“It’s one of my favourite carol services of the year.”

Carols at the Crib welcomes parents and grandparents to see their children sing ‘Away in a Manger’ in a candlelit ring around the hall of the cathedral on Christmas Eve.

Blackburn Music Society will give their performance of Handel’s Messiah in celebration of contralto Kathleen Ferrier’s centenary on Saturday, December 8. Kathleen and her family lived in Blackburn.

Samuel Hudson, director of music at the cathedral, recently began rehearsing the carols with the cathedral’s choirs.

Mr Hudson said: “One of my favourite services is the first one of the season, the Advent Carol Service on December 2.

“It really sets the mood for the rest of the month and the excitement just builds and builds from there.”