A VILLAGE church will hold a nativity exhibition next week in a bid to remind people of the origins of Christmas.

Disappointed at the commercialisation of the Christian festival, the Reverend Bill Scott is preparing an exhibition of nativity scenes at St Peter the Apostle Church, Byers Green, near Spennymoor.

Mr Scott will display about 70 nativity pictures and sets from around the world, and a collection made by pupils at Byers Green Primary School.

Mr Scott said: "Some people do not know why we celebrate Christmas. I think we should put Christ back into Christmas, remember that it is about celebrating the birth of Jesus - he is the reason for the season.

"In our church, we sing happy birthday to Jesus, it is a meant to celebrate his birth."

The free exhibition will be open on Friday, from 2pm to 6pm, Saturday, from 11am to 4pm and Sunday, from 11am to 3pm.

The church will also hold a Christmas fair next Saturday, to be opened by the school's new headteacher, Bill Kirtley, at 10.30am. Admission is 50p.