A charity which helps tens of thousands of people with debts every year, Christians Against Poverty, which has a local branch at Ross Baptist Church, wants people to be smart about the festivities rather than get into financial trouble.

And Ross-on-Wye was recently the location for Christians Against Poverty’s new Christmas video. Filming took place several weeks ago and showss a bus journey through the town to Ross Baptist Church. The snow came thanks to a snow-making machine.

This week the charity will be making 50 Christmas hampers to deliver to people in need in Ross and the Wye Valley.

Wye Valley Debt Centre Manager, Elaine Loe said: “The TV and shop windows are full of adverts trying to convince us that Christmas is about buying and impressing.

“However, encouraged by campaigns by Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis and others, many people are turning away from the excess of Christmas and choosing a simpler way to celebrate.”See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.