AN EAST Oxford church plunged parishioners into darkness then asked them to sing Christmas carols at an unusual Advent Sunday service.

Some 50 unsuspecting locals turned up to sing rousing carols at SS Mary and John Church on Cowley Road on Sunday afternoon.

Each person was given a candle to hold but when they were all sat down the Rev Phil Ritchie turned off all the lights to represent the blackness of winter.

Then, as the congregation launched into their first carol, the good reverend went round lighting everyone’s candles to represent the coming of Christmas.

The special singalong service was also held to raise money for next year’s Cowley Road Carnival and parishioners donated £163 towards the cause.

Oscar and Iris Ladbrook from East Oxford joined the candlelit carnival carols with their mum Rebecca.

Oscar, eight, said: “We came for the first Sunday of Advent to sing carols. I thought it was good when they turned off the lights, but it was a bit cold because they turned off the heaters as well.”

Iris, five, said she liked singing Away in a Manger and was looking forward to her Christmas presents.