A CHURCH congregation will be swapping pews for bar stools as they head to the pub for an evening of beer and carols to celebrate Christmas.

St Andrew’s Church, in Parsonage Street, Halstead, is holding the event at the Dog Inn, in Hedingham Road, on Wednesday evening, at 7.30pm.

But revellers are advised to get there early, as last year’s event was so popular it was standing room only.

The church has built up a strong relationship with the pub as leaders attempt to reach out to the community.

Last year, Jen Skingley, who is on the parochial church council, came up with the novel idea of printing service times on the pub’s beer mats.

Miss Skingley said: “Previously, we had done hymn singing evenings in the pub on occasions, but we decided to make it a regular thing to tie in with Christmas.

“It is quite nice for us to get out there, meet people and have a bit of fun.”

Landlord Adrian Illingworth said: “It sounds like a ridiculous idea, but every time we’ve done it has been absolutely fantastic – I love it.

“There’s always a great mix attending with the people from the church as well as a lot of our regulars who wouldn’t normally come down to the pub on a Wednesday night.

“We have great fun and I’d recommend it to anyone.”

St Andrew’s Church is also holding more traditional services over the Christmas period, including midnight mass, starting at 11pm, on Christmas Eve. Holy Communion will be at 8am on Christmas Day, with parish communion and carols at 10am.