CHRISTMAS services at St Albans Cathedral proved popular during December with more than 23,000 people coming to worship, a rise of around 22 per cent on the previous year.

Among the festive events were the Carols on the Hour services held on the Saturday before Christmas which drew crowds of 3,200, and Midnight Mass which attracted 1,160 worshippers.

A further 12,000 school children and teachers also attended their own carol services at the Cathedral last month.

Sub Dean, Canon Richard Watson, said: “We’re delighted that the Cathedral played such an important part in so many people’s Christmas celebrations this year.

“We were pretty full most Sundays but over the Christmas period we were often limited to standing room only, which for such a huge building is amazing.

“People of all ages, all walks of life and from St Albans and beyond brought a real sense of joy and wonder to our services.

“And of course we hope they took away with them a sense of God’s presence with them in the New Year ahead.”