With just over a week to go until Christmas, there are still a few windows of opportunity for a good wassail.

On Friday, Prudhoe Community Choir invites people to its Christmas Carol Service at 7.30pm in St Mary Magdalene’s Church Hall in Front Street, where tickets can be bought on the door.

The North Tyne and Redeswater Choral Society also presents The Sounds of Christmas on Friday at 7.30pm in St Mungo’s, Simonburn. As well as music by Haydn, Handel, Bach and Britten, there’ll be some lovely carols.

On Sunday, Alston Town Hall will host the Churches Together Community Carols at 5pm, whilst St Helen’s in Whitley Chapel offers Nine Lessons and Carols with the participation of the Shire Ladies Choir, beginning at 5.30pm.

At 6pm the same day, the United Village Carol Service in Haydon Bridge will be led by Deacon Ann Taylor at the Methodist Church.

For those caring for someone with memory loss, there’s a special dementia-friendly carol service at 11am in Hexham Abbey on Monday, December 19.

And at 7pm, Hexham General Hospital will host carol singing on the wards – anyone who would like to add their voices should meet at the main entrance.

All are welcome at 11am on Tuesday, December 20, for a community carol service in Hexham Abbey, and for those who prefer their carols candlelit, there’s a service of lessons and carols at 6.30pm in the Abbey on December 23.