Choir members from a Maldon church will be appearing on The One Show on Thursday (17 December).

Members of the choir from St Mary's Church, Maldon, are singing as part of a "Winter Wonderland" experience being specially organised as a surprise for a family who have had a particularly hard time through the Covid crisis.

The choir will be filmed singing carols whilst standing on the drawbridge at Colchester Castle.

Colin Baldy, musical director for the church in Church Street, close to Hythe Quay, said: "Sadly, due to Covid social distancing restrictions, we can only have eight singers. Still, it is a great opportunity and honour. The BBC were sent in our direction as they wanted a "professional level choir".

"We're delighted, once again, to be able to draw people's attention to Maldon; this time at a national level."

Then on Friday evening (18 December) in an effort to give locals at least one opportunity to hear some live carols, the choir will be carol singing starting outside the church at 6pm, walking down to the Hythe and then making its way up the High Street, finishing outside All Saints at about 7pm.

Colin said: "We invite people to come and listen to us, always being mindful of maintaining social distancing. We would remind anyone wanting to listen that they aren't allowed to join in with us - but hopefully they will enjoy the singing of the choir all the same."

And on Sunday evening (20 December) at 6pm, the church will broadcast its Christmas Carol Service on YouTube.

Colin said: "Usually, the Carol Service is standing room only in St Mary's but obviously nothing is usual this year. Because we wanted people to be able to sing along if they wanted to, we pre-recorded the service in St Mary's on Sunday (13 December). This gives us time to edit the video and to scroll the words to the carols along the screen so that people can sing at home.

"Strict social distancing was observed during the filming - readers and choir were not in the church at the same time and did not mix. Fortunately, the choir children are in a school bubble, so we were able to maintain distancing with them, too. Our fabulous new pipe organ sounded wonderful and we were able to video using some exciting camera angles and lighting.

"It won't be a normal Carol Service but we hope it will bring at least some Christmas cheer into Maldonians' living rooms."

You can watch the Carol Service at 6pm on Sunday by visiting the church's YouTube channel which can be found by searching on YouTube for St Mary's Parish Church, Maldon.