SHOPS around Cowbridge are getting in the Christmas spirit by participating in an Advent calendar trail for residents to follow.

Retailers in town will display boxes in their windows, and from Tuesday 1 December a box will be opened each day to reveal a picture of a Nativity figure.

The trail has been organised by Cowbridge Chamber of Trade in collaboration with Churches Together in Cowbridge.

Two prizes are on offer: one for correctly identifying which number box is in which shop, and another prize for which describing the Nativity picture behind each door.

The lucky winners will each win a treat box full of freshly baked goods from Creative Cake Kitchen .

Anyone can enter by collecting an answer sheet from D B Dry Cleaners & Laundry , The Pencil Case or printing it out from online, Sue Freeland of Churches Together in Cowbridge told Nub News.

Sue designed the trail to encourage people onto the high street and maintain the churches' presence in Cowbridge following the cancellation of regular Christmas services.

"I go to Holy Cross Church, and we're just so aware of how difficult it is for families this year. All the things you normally do, like Christingle services and carol services aren't happening," said Sue.

"The crib service is normally our biggest service and we're going to do it on YouTube.

"I was trying to have something in the high street that isn't just elves and Santa, but also the Nativity story as that's what Christmas is about. Something with a little bit of Christian impact.

"But we're also very aware of how hard it is for the shops this year.

"We decided to ask the shops to get involved so that people are walking up and down the high street looking in shop windows. It's a positive impact for them to have more footfall.

"We asked 'how can we as a church help the shops, and how can we have a bit of presence reminding people that we're still here too?'" she said.

The 24 boxes will be displayed until Wednesday 30 December, so participants must hand in their answer sheets to Sylvia Williams Chemist by that date.