Village transforms phone box into advent calendar

The calendar is being organised by the All Stretton Village Society

Locals living in a Shropshire village have turned their red phone box into a larger-than-life advent calendar.

The phone box in All Stretton was previously a miniature museum and Remembrance display.

Each day, creations from residents will be displayed in its windows, including artwork, photographs and collages with a winter or Christmas theme.

"It was a bit short notice, but the villagers have really rallied around and they've supplied me with loads of photos and bits of artwork," said Jane Hickman, who came up with the idea.

She is part of the All Stretton Village Society, which is making the calendar happen.

Mrs Hickman said it was difficult to choose which pieces to use from the submissions.

"We had an awful lot of people send in photographs - fabulous ones of the place [village] in the snow, and quite a lot of bits of artwork," she said.

Each day, a new piece of art or photograph will be unveiled

Day one's selection featured a painted Christmas tree.

"I hope it'll make them smile, and I hope it'll make them stop and take a look and appreciate the art and the photography that our villagers have submitted," Mrs Hickman added.

Maria Davy sent in a piece of art to be considered for the calendar, and said she would feel a "warm glow" if it met Mrs Hickman's standards.

"It's just nice to contribute to things," she said. "I think it just helps demonstrate the community spirit.

"We could've just got a load of pictures off the internet and it would've looked nice, but it wouldn't have that attachment of the village that we wanted."