With coronavirus restrictions preventing gatherings of more than six people outdoors, the Ho Ho Helsby Working Group has been forced to cancel this year's event.

So, eager to keep the Christmas spirit alive, Ho Ho Helsby's organisers are instead inviting residents to 'Stay Safe, Decorate, Light Up Helsby', in a bid to inject the village with some sparkling festive cheer.

From 5th December, which would have been the date of the event, the Ho Ho Helsby team will encourage local people to fill their front doors, windows and gardens with Christmas lights, to fit with this year's 'Twinkle Twinkle' theme.

"[We want] lots of stars and just about anything that twinkles; the brighter the better!" said the Working Group via their Twitter page.

Pictures of the twinkliest homes and businesses will be shared on the Ho Ho Helsby Facebook page (with owners' permission).

"Ho Ho Helsby Group are looking forward to a community effort to cheer up Helsby residents and help support the fantastic range of local, independent businesses during the festive season," the organisers said.

There will also be a Christmas Card Competition for local children aged pre-school, primary and secondary school age.

Entrants will be asked to design a card under the theme 'Christmas in Helsby', before sending it to [email protected].

The four winning designs will be professionally printed as Christmas cards and sold locally. There will also be prizes for the winners!

For more details, visit the Ho Ho Helsby website.

Ho Ho Helsby sponsors are invited to contribute and are asked to contact [email protected] if they wish to get involved.