THEY'RE pulling out all the stops in Porlock to lay claim to the title the Christmas Capital of Exmoor.

Festive celebrations began in November with the Exmoor Christmas Craft Fair, which featured quality Exmoor producers selling every thing from beeswax candles to Exmoor rum.

Porlock Panto Society gave three performances of ‘Showtime’ followed on Saturday (December 2) by ‘Let's Light Up Porlock', with 50 Christmas trees spread around the village, intermingled with fairy lights in every available space lit in a ceremony conducted by village Town Crier Grant Dennis, and accompanied by carols around the trees.

There has been a free Christmas quiz with tea and music in the village hall organised by Porlock Visitor Centre.

The story of Christmas will be enacted in High Street as part of Living Nativity, organised by the Rev Ann Gibbs and starting at Dovery Museum at 6pm on Friday (December 8). Mary and Joseph accompanied by a real donkey are turned away at the inns, until they finally find a stable where a living baby Jesus.

The following day sees the start of the Santa Festival, with the man in red appearing in a variety of places. It is also the start of The Christmas Tree Festival in St Dubricius Church, where the theme is Christmas music. High Street comes alive in the evening when shops remain open for late night shopping, with bands, carols, street entertainers and the Santa Dash.

Sunday (December 10) sees the Patronal Walk and service at the tin tabernacle at Porlock Weir followed by the Exmoor Carollers, who are performing in St Dubricius Church from 5.30pm followed by light refreshments.