Workington's rugby ground will ring out to the sound of Christmas carols in a first for West Cumbria. 

Organisers hope the Zebra Claims Stadium, formerly Derwent Park, will be packed with more than 1,000 people singing carols next month.

The newly formed Workington Mission Community, which aims to foster closer relationships between the town's different denominations, has organised A Carol Service for Workington on Sunday December 13. 

The Rev Ian Grainger, vicar of Camerton, Seaton and West Seaton, said: “For quite some time now, we have been working towards developing the Workington Mission Community, with churches from the Church of England, Methodist and United Reformed Church beginning to work more closely together.

"Earlier this year I felt we needed to get this on the map and out into the public arena in a different way and the idea of a large carol service seemed an ideal opportunity for a launch event of sorts.

"The grandstand at the ground holds over 1,000 people and it would be amazing to see it full and ringing out to the sound of Christmas carols."

Church leaders have been working closely with representatives of the club.

Mark Fryer, Workington Town vice chairman, said: "As a club we are pleased to be hosting this special event and are really looking forward to it.

"It's great to be able to work with the community in this way and we hope people will turn out and support it."

Music for the carol service will be provided by Workington Town Band.

There will also be input from a number of schools, under the direction of Michael Milner who teaches music across the area.

The Bishop of Carlisle James Newcome said: "I know how successful the carol service was at Carlisle United’s ground last year and I pray that the Workington event will mirror that."

The free service will begin at 3pm. 

There will be a retiring collection, from which a donation will be made to the club for use of the premises and the rest going to Hospice at Home West Cumbria.