THE ancient parish church of St Michael’s, Flixton will be singing and ringing the good news this Christmas.


At its traditional Nine Lessons and carols service on Sunday, December 22, the usual robed choir will be joined by members of the Come and Sing choir.


Choir leader, Ruth Boyd, said: “We have a rather unusual problem in that we have too many people to fit in the choir stalls this year.”


Each Christmas the church invites anyone to join its Come and Sing Choir and every year more people turn up.


“I think we’ve got about 40 people now,” Ms Boyd continued.


“I’m always telling people that singing is good for your mind, body and soul. This year the message has really got through.


“We are literally bursting at the seams with singers. There are too many to fit in the choir stalls, which is a wonderful problem to have.”


For the first time in decades, children will be joining the main choir for the carol service, which will feature classics such as Carol of the Bells and Ding Dong Merrily on High.


Priest in charge, Rev Vicky Johnson, said: “We have a long tradition of both bell ringing and singing at this church, and this year we are bringing that together to retell the greatest story ever told.”