THE heavens opening were never going to completely put the dampeners on Christchurch’s Christmas community carol concert.

However, church leaders were forced to take stock of Saturday’s relentless rainfall and abandon plans for an al-fresco sing-a-long in the town’s Saxon Square.

The weather forced around 250 participants to seek sanctuary inside the nearby Winter Wonderland building, where a brass band helped them belt out a few Christmas classics.

The Rev Chris Brockway, of Christchurch Baptist Church, told the Daily Echo: “It was a joyful time, with a lot of carols sung.

“One of the highlights was that we gave everyone glow-sticks, then had a lights off in the dark moment.”

Mr Brockway explained how crowds of between 500 and 1,000 had been expected for the original outdoors event.

“But at 2.30pm we made the decision to move it indoors because of the weather,” he said.

“This proved to be the right decision as well, as the conditions outside became horrid.”

The community concert, featuring the Boscombe Salvation Army Band, was organised by five churches.

They were Christchurch Baptist Church, Christchurch Christian Centre, GodFirst Church, Christchurch United Reformed Churches, and Twynham Church For The Community.

The Rev Brockway said: “For us it was a joy-filled time which celebrated the shared view we have of Christmas, centred around the birth of Christ.

“It was also a real joy to be able to partner together as five churches and put on his event together to bless our community.”