Christingle service: On Sunday, at Yarm Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene, there will be a Christingle service at 6pm. Many youth groups will take part. Proceeds go to the Children's Society. On Sunday, holy communion will be at 8am and a family service at 10am.

Street Theatre: The festive season will be celebrated in Yarm on December 8. Bread and Butter Theatre will be in the High Street, from 11.30am with carol-singing Christmas crackers - cracker jokes - and Name That Tune. The Faceless Snowmen will be there at noon, 1pm, and 2.30pm, as a living Christmas decoration.

Parish lunch: The Yarm parish Christmas lunch is on Sunday, December 11, in Yarm Fellowship Hall. Those wishing to attend should sign the sheet in the church.

Lions Christmas: Yarm District Lions Club members will be raising funds next month to bring Christmas cheer to the elderly and needy. They will be packing bags at the Somerfield Store, in the High Street, on Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10 and also at the store at Healaugh Park, from Thursday, December 15, to Saturday, December 17. Santa's sleigh will make can collections on the Spitalfield and Layfield estates on Sunday, December 11, and on the Levendale and Leven Park estates on Sunday, December 18. Tins may be left outside.

Choir concert: Yarm Methodist Church Choir gives a Christmas concert on Friday, December 9, at 7.15pm. A mixture of music and mirth is on offer. For tickets, costing £3, including refreshments, ring (01642) 898340 or 652820.

Seasonal concert: Yarm School Christmas concert takes place on Thursday, December 8, at 7.30pm, in Yarm Parish Church. Car parking is available at the Friarage. Admission is free but there will be a retiring collection.

Festive crafts: A host of festive craft activities will take place in Preston Park Museum's activity room and hall on Sunday, December 10, from noon to 4pm. This is a joint event with the Museum Service. Normal entrance charges apply. For more information, contact the museum on (01642) 781184 for details.

Playgroup fair: Kirklevington Old School Playgroup holdings its annual Christmas fair on Sunday, from 1pm in the village hall.

COFFEE MORNING: A coffee morning and Christmas fair will take place on Saturday, in Worsall Village Hall from 10.30am. Father Christmas will arrive by pony and trap at 11am. Admission is £1 for adults, free for children.

Folk Dancers: There will be a folk dance at Worsall Village Hall on Saturday, at 7.45pm. The caller is Ian Porter with the Boys of Oakhill. Tickets cost £4 and those taking part are asked to contribute to a pooled supper.

Christmas Gala: Ingleby Barwick's Magic of Christmas Gala looks set to be a fun-filled family event on Saturday, from noon to 4pm. Entrance is 50p for adults and 20p for children. Tickets go into a raffle draw at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. There will be games for children and Santa's grotto, plus music by Northallerton Silver Band and a piper.