CHILDREN are invited to become shepherds for the Great Northwich Sheep Round-Up.

Twelve knitted sheep have been given temporary homes in town centre shops, and are waiting to be found in time for Christmas.

The sheep have been created by members of St Helen’s Church in Northwich, and will form part of the Crib Service and Christingle at the church on Christmas Eve.

This is the third year of the Round-Up, which is aimed at strengthening links between the church and the town and encouraging people to visit town centre shops.

Children are invited to look in the shops to find the sheep, and write the shop names on forms available from the church, library or information centre.

The sheep can be found in shops in Witton Street, between the NatWest Bank and Venables Road, and people taking part are asked to bring their completed forms to the church between 3pm and 3.45pm on Christmas Eve to claim a small prize.

Prizes will be given to the first 50 forms returned, and the knitted sheep will be gathered up in time for the Crib Service and Christingle at 4pm.

“The sheep are being kept warm in various shops until they are rounded up and taken to the church for the Christingle service,” said church member Gordon Atkinson, who helps organise the event and whose wife Angela knitted one of the sheep.

“The generous shopkeepers who are taking part are making a small donation so gifts can be given to children who return their forms.

“So we know where to find them children are encouraged to go and look for them and record on the form where the sheep have been spotted.

“The children who take part tend to be aged from about five or six up, and the event is a way of encouraging people to visit town centre shops and raise awareness of the church’s desire to connect with the community.

“St Helen’s Church is a true community asset, and the sheep round-up is something nice for Christmas.”

The event is being supported by Northwich Independent Retailers Association.

Carols by Candlelight: A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, is being held at the church on Sunday, December 18 at 6.30pm, followed by mulled wine and mince pies.

The first Communion of Christmas takes place at 11pm on Christmas Eve, followed at 9.30am on Christmas Day by an Altogether Communion.