WATCHTREE nature reserve to host a Christmas event for Carlisle's holiday hikers.

The event will take place from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, December 10.

Visitors to the reserve will be able to walk around the nativity trail which will tell the story of Christmas with Mary, Joseph, shepards, wise men, angels and the baby Jesus all featuring.

Messages about sustainability will also be interwoven into the walk.

The event which can be visited free of charge will also feature Christmas crafts for children. Visitors are invited to make a donation to the nature reserve and its assoicated projects.

Santa, who will take centre stage in the Watchtree Grotto will also be accompanied by live music from the Nelson Thomlinson School Band.

Ahead of the event, Watchtree nature reserve manager Ryan Dobson expressed his delight at the impendong arrival of the festivities.

He said: "Christmas at Watchtree is very special and the Nativity Trail truly has to be seen to be appreciated! We always support ways of being sustainable at Watchtree - recycle, re-use, reduce waste, composting, and the Trail embraces all of this whilst also telling the Christmas story. 

"We'd like to thank all of the volunteers, helpers and members of the local Methodist Church who give their time to bring the Christmas story to life."