A CHURCH in north Durham is offering a variety of services over the Christmas and New Year period.

St Cuthbert's Church, in Benfieldside, Shotley Bridge, is holding a festive carol service with Christingles and church bells on Christmas Eve, at 6pm. Earlier in the day, there will be a Holy Communion service at 8am, and a sung parish Eucharist and Sunday school presentation at 10am.

Midnight Mass, from 11.30pm, will see in Christmas Day. And Christmas morning will begin with a parish Eucharist service with carols, suitable for all ages, from 9.30am.

New Year's Eve will be marked by a Holy Communion service at 10am, celebrating the first Sunday of Christmas.

On January 7, Epiphany will be marked by a Holy Communion service at 8am and a sung parish Eucharist at 6pm, with evening prayer beginning at 6pm.