O, come all ye faithful

Knutsford Methodist Church has asked its congregation and internet users to vote for their top 10 Christmas carols.

They plan to reveal the favourite songs – and then sing them – during an event tonight (Wednesday) at 8pm.

Worship leader Graham Bowler, who organised the event, said he was rooting for O Come, All Ye Faithful.

“It’s just got such a joyful big sound,” he said.

Knutsford’s Talking Newspaper for the Blind sparked the idea for the carol countdown.

Volunteers, who tape articles from the Knutsford Guardian every week, had asked the Methodist Church in Princess Street if it could record some songs for the Christmas edition.

Members decided to hold an organised event to get as many participants as possible.

They then came up with the idea of creating a top 10.

“We thought it would give the recording a bit of added interest,” said Mr Bowler.

The Methodist Church also set up an online vote on its website - kmconline.org.uk It also handed out voting slips to the congregation. By today (Wednesday) more than 100 people are expected to have taken part.

They were asked to choose their top five carols from a list and rank them in order.

The voters could also suggest additional contenders.

“There are a lot to choose from,” said Mr Bowler.

They include Away in a Manger, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.

Some have, over the years, made the official charts.

Silent Night - recorded by more than 300 artists - featured on Bing Crosby’s White Christmas album.

O Come, All Ye Faithful has been covered by Enya, Harry Connick Jr, Twisted Sister and Il Divo.

And The First Nowell has been sung by The Supremes, Whitney Houston and Josh Groban.

Mr Bowler said anyone - not just members of the congregation - was welcome to sing those and other carols at tonight’s event.

“It’s not a service,” said Mr Bowler.

“It’s more of a sing-along if you like.”