What better way to celebrate Christmas than with one of Colchester Folk Club's most popular bands.

That's The Churchfitters, a group that started off here but is now based in northern France.

The group started in 1978 when singer/songwriter Anthony McCartan, from Belfast, and multi-instrumentalist Geoff Coombs, from Maldon, got together a group of like-minded musicians to create what was to become the Churchfitters.

Now made up of Rosie Short, her brother Chris and Boris Lebret, playing festivals, art centres and village fetes all over Europe, the band are the next guests of the Colchester Folk Club.

Chris says: "We're bringing our Christmas show, which we've been developing for the last few years. It's got a lot of silliness in it with a touch of the panto but for those people who know us from our other shows, they'll be more than familiar with what we do."

That includes some rather bizarre musical instruments.

"We use a lot of original instruments," he adds. "Boris recycles a lot and has built his own bouzouki out of two Mercedes hub caps which he calls the Mercedes Benzouki. We also have a double bass made from a petrol tank, a glass harp from wine glasses and we even use a musical saw in the show."

With support from Colchester pair, Nelson and Cara, also known as Park and Ride, the Churchfitters take to the Colchester Arts Centre stage on Monday, December 16.

Doors open at 7.45pm and entry is £11 and £10 for concessions, available in advance on-line at www.colchesterartscentre.com or by calling 01206 500900.