Rural touring organisation Arts Alive loves to celebrate Christmas with a bang, and this year is no different. Herefordshire and Shropshire audiences are in for a real treat as four venues are set to enjoy a big dose of festive cheer in the form of alternative folk group The Churchfitters Christmas Cracker!

The Churchfitters is a folk group like no other. A double bass made out of scrap metal. Heart-wrenching vocals accompanied by a musical saw. Foot-stomping fast fiddle mixed with infectious funk-rock rhythms. A mouth-watering selection of favourites from their regular repertoire interlaced with traditional and original festive songs and Christmas carols, this cracker of a show will see Christmas in with a bang and a paper hat-full of surprises, novelties - and some obligatory terrible festive jokes as well!

Intrigued? An evening out with The Churchfitters is the perfect way to start the winter season and get into the Christmas spirit. Catch them at Cawley Hall, Eye (01568 615836) on Thursday, December 7 at 7.30pm; Wem Town Hall (wemtownhall.co.uk) at 7.30pm on Friday, December 8; Chapel Lawn Village Hall (01547 530871) at 7.30pm on Saturday, December 9, and at Kingsland Coronation Hall (07905 589830) at 7.30pm on Sunday, December 10.