A VILLAGE is hoping to provide a wide variety of activities and illuminations for Christmas.

Following the success of last year's events, the Evenwood Community Christmas Projects Group has been working throughout the year to raise funds to make this Christmas bigger and better than last year.

Sixteen miniature trees have been erected outside local businesses and two floodlights now illuminate a large tree put up outside the working men's club.

Jackie Dodds, the group's secretary, said: "We are very pleased with the result this year and the group has worked very hard to raise funds to make this possible. We just hope everybody enjoys it."

The County Durham Foundation has also provided funds for lantern-making workshops for local people.

The lanterns will be used in the Christmas lantern procession on December 2.

The procession will start at 6pm from Fairfield and pass through the village.

A Victorian-themed market will also be open from 5.30pm in Evenwood and Ramshaw Community Centre.