A simple idea to create festive spirit in Harrogate has gone global in just a few days.

Wanting to bring people together at the end of a difficult year, Mary Beggs-Reid came up with the idea for a Christmas Eve Doorstep Jingle last week.

She set up a Facebook group, supported by the Harrogate Mumbler network, to invite local people to ring bells on their doorstep at 6pm on Christmas Eve and even sing a few carols if they wanted.

Within hours, the group was attracting interest from around the world. Less than a week later, it had 160,000 members - and an event sent up on Facebook had 570,000 people interested in taking part.

More groups have also been set up for people in other countries, including Canada, America and Australia, all linking back to Mary's original idea. She told the Stray Ferret:

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The Facebook group has become so busy that Mary has enlisted the help of friends to help her organise it. People are sharing their own Christmas traditions and ideas from around the world and discussing how they can make this year special, even if they can't do what they normally would.

The Facebook group has also become a hub for people to support each other. A buddying system will see anyone feeling lonely receive a message from someone else on Christmas Day, while one group member is working on a Christmas Day quiz to run on Zoom.

As well as setting up the event, Mary is working with Sally Haslewood at Harrogate Mumbler to create a sheet of carols which people will be able to download nearer Christmas so they can sing with their neighbours if they want to. There will also be a poster for people to put in their windows, spreading the word about the plans.

Mary hopes people who don't use social media will find out from their friends and neighbours and will be able to join in - especially those who live alone and may feel particularly isolated at Christmas.