SALTAIRE will host a countdown to Christmas in style with its annual Living Advent Calendar event.

Residents of the World Heritage Site will illuminate a number of windows throughout the village.

The advent calendar event, now in its 11th year, opens on December 1, with ten windows. A new one is revealed every day between 4pm and 10.30pm until Christmas Eve.

Each window remains a strict secret until the day it is revealed.

But the theme is likely to range from traditionally religious to topical concerns, wintry scenes and tongue-in-cheek humour.

A leaflet with a map showing the locations of the windows features a bonus window design and a front cover illustration by Saltaire Primary School pupil Marnie Walford, seven.

The leaflet is available from Saltaire Tourist Office and other outlets, or can be downloaded from the Saltaire Inspired website. Go to saltaireinspired.org.uk or facebook.com/saltaireadventcalendar.

The event remains a success across the world, with almost 2,000 Facebook followers from 45 countries.

People will also have the chance to view the complete advent calendar between Christmas and January 5 next year.

Kate Thompson, Saltaire Living Advent Calendar co-ordinator, said: “It’s getting bigger every year.

“We have had to turn people away this year who have come up with designs.

"We have just got so many people taking part.

“We have become quite established in the country now as one of the foremost living advent calendar events.

“The quality of the designs for the windows is getting better each year too.

“Taking part in it and being a part of the village and part of the community is the essence of the event.”

Artist David Starley, 56, is one of the residents who will open a window at his Albert Road home on December 10.

He said: “It is spread throughout the village.

"The designs are a total surprise until they are revealed. Mine is inspired by a painting of Saltaire.”

The Saltaire Living Advent Calendar is organised under the umbrella of Saltaire Inspired, an arts charity, which aims to create quality contemporary arts events in unique settings.

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