BANBURY'S annual festival of Nine Lessons and Carols takes place at St Mary's Church, tomorrow at 6pm.

The special service will be followed by mulled wine and mince pies, and organisers of the event have invited people from different walks of life to read the lessons.

Representatives from local government, health and emergency services, education, sport, voluntary services, business and commerce, press and communications, culture and the arts, and religion will take part.

Carols will be sung by congregation and choir, and prayers offered for the whole town.