It is never easy moving somewhere new... meeting new people, settling in, that feeling of being a stranger.

Well, Christmas is the perfect time of year to become part of the community, with mirth and festive cheer plentiful.

This is exactly what Edward and Liz Brown found when they set about encouraging their new community to join them in recreating a Nativity scene.

The pair moved to the village of Cumwhitton three years ago and, according to their daughter Katie, have “loved getting into village life.”

The amazing scene was created by Edward and Liz last year with help from the rest of the community.

It is set in their village hearse house next to the historic Cumwhitton Church.

Each person was responsible for building a character, creating its costume and painting the face.

The community agree that the scene is are testament to the wonderful power of Christmas and the message of Christ to bring a community together in joy and happiness.

Every day Katie’s mum and dad opened the doors and turned on the Christmas lights and music.

And a basket collected food donations made by members of the community, the contents of which Edward took to Carlisle food bank each week.

Katie said: “It’s such a wonderful thing to see and brings the community together.”

Everyone agreed that is was a wonderful example of community togetherness, which also helped a good cause.