Thousands of Christmas cards have been sent out around the Harborough area thanks to church's campaign

The massive cross-district surge is based on on the Church of England’s popular #FollowTheStar Christmas campaign.

Every card carries details of services being held at the team’s five churches in Harborough.

The cards go through a rigorous editing process in October.

Team Administrator Sue Macdonald helps to co-ordinate the huge scheme.

Sue said: “People in the congregations are invited to look for a street that they can deliver to.

“We’ve tried to make it more regional, distributing them around the different churches.”

And, with around 600 people across the five churches each week, they have plenty of volunteers.

This is the third year they’ve delivered Christmas cards.

It’s the second year the unit has used the #FollowTheStar theme.

Team Rector Barry Hill said: “The national church resources are great.

“There’s so much good stuff available, but churches don’t always use it.

“If we’re not careful we can re-invent the wheel badly.”

The Rev James Pickersgill, Team Vicar at St Dionysius, said: “It’s about being more open and invitational.

“Some people think that you have to pay for services.

“It’s about breaking down barriers.”

Among volunteers working flat out are Katy, Martha and Zebedee.

All three have been involved in deliveries.

“It’s very fun to go out and do stuff,” said Katy.

“It’s about helping the church and community to see what’s going on.

“We prayed at the houses.”