As the Christchurch Living Advent Calendar enters its third week, there are some excellent events to enjoy over the next few days.

Supported by more than 120 local businesses and organisations, this festive initiative, first staged in Sweden more than 15 years ago, has been bought to life in Christchurch by the town’s Rotary Club.

Running from 1– 24 December, it involves a different town-centre venue opening at 6.15pm each day to reveal a local talent performing for about half an hour to support a local charity. There are 24 nights, 24 venues, and 24 performances. Just as in a normal Advent Calendar, the identity of performers is not announced before the event, but they will subsequently be publicised on the CLAC website. An impressive £12,000 has already been raised by sponsorship for local charities with more to come each evening throughout December.

On Friday 10 December, Richard Thomas Conservatories sponsors the CLAC event at The Ship public house in aid of Christchurch Soup Kitchen and on Saturday 11 CLAC is at the Red House Museum for a show sponsored by Williams Thompson Solicitors LLP to help fund Rotary charities. Then on Sunday 12 December it is the turn of the Mad4Dance Studio to host a presentation, sponsored by Mr Green Estate Agents, in aid of Helping Young Minds. On Monday Ye Olde George Inn welcomes a privately sponsored performance in support of Listening Ear and on Tuesday spectators are invited to Dirty Gerties in Castle Street for a show, sponsored by Jordan Marks Estate agents, for the benefit of Julia’s House, Christchurch. Wednesday sees Saxon Square hosting a performance sponsored by Kamm Civil Engineering in aid of Somerford Youth and Community Centre. To conclude the week, Erko Coaching sponsors a show at The Old Town Hall Arches on Thursday in support of University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity, and on Friday The Regent Centre hosts an event to support its own activities sponsored by The Primrose Charitable Trust.

Performances will continue to run every evening at 6.15pm until Christmas Eve when there will be a special celebration in Saxon Square starting at 2pm.

For more information about venues, sponsors and charities visit the CLAC website www.christchurchlivingadventcalendar.org.uk – or look on social media –

Facebook: @Christchurch Living Advent Calendar, Instagram: @Christchurch_living_advent.