TAVISTOCK parish church is this week making final preparations for its iconic festival of lessons and carols on Sunday evening (December 18).

The service, a traditional blend of readings and music, is one of the most popular of the year, and parishioners are advised to come early to get a seat.

Starting at 6pm in St Eustachius' Church, the service will feature readings from scripture, introduced so as to draw out their meaning.

The service will also feature carols sung by the parish church choir, with music and arrangements by Carter, Edmundson, Rutter and Willcocks, including a magical setting of 'Silent Night' by the church's own director of music, Dr Sean Sweeney.

There is plenty of opportunity for the congregation to join in a number of favourite and much-loved carols. All are warmly invited.