A Maldon choir has confirmed its much-loved carol service will be going ahead this weekend, but has urged residents to stick to Covid precautions during the event.

St Mary's Church has been specially decorated for the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, which will take place on Sunday (19 December) at 6pm.

Organisers have asked attendees to take a lateral flow test before coming to the service and to wear masks while they are in the church.

Colin Baldy, director of music at St Mary's, said: "St Mary's Carol Service is always a wonderful event, with a special candlelit atmosphere to accompany carols sung by choir and congregation.

"Having not been able to sing carols last year, we have been looking forward to doing so this Sunday at 6pm.

"We can confirm that the carol service will go ahead but we ask attendees to take a lateral flow test before coming and to wear masks for the whole time they are in the church.

"We hope that people will be reassured by these measures and that they will be able to enjoy singing their favourite carols knowing that they are doing all that they can to keep themselves and others safe.

"The choir, too, will all have been tested before the service."

You can find the church on St Mary's Lane in Maldon.