REGULARS raised a glass to their local church as they all got into the Christmas spirit at the weekend.

Urban Outreach charity boss Dave Bagley offered to buy everyone in the Finishers Arms in Smithills a drink as parishioners from St Peter's Church staged a carol service in their local.

Rev Oli Preston said: "Dave came to share a bit about what they do, but unexpectedly instead of asking for money he offered to buy everyone in the pub a drink! He said “Christmas is a time of generosity, of celebrating God’s generosity, so I want to share with you all tonight the generosity God has shown me."

Mr Preston added: "It was quite a surprise, but a very nice one! We did still take up a collection and did a raffle, and raised over £240 for Urban Outreach.”

Parishioners from St Peter’s Church held a carol service in the Finishers Arms pub in Smithills for the second year. Mr Preston said: "It came out of the friendships that we built as many of us from the church are regulars at the Finishers.

"Some of our regular music team from the church have been getting together to practise traditional carols, and also some more modern pieces of Christmas music for us to go into the pub to play, and we handed out word sheets so people can sing along too. It has been a real hit with church and pub regulars.

"It was a great night! The pub was packed, with lots of people coming out to join in with the singing."

Dennis Holmes, the landlord of the Finishers Arms, says: “Every village should have its pub and its church, and it’s great when the two can join together like this.”