To commemorate the centennial of the World War One Christmas Truce, local Rugby churches will be holding an event to recognise this historic occasion at Rugby Town FC’s Butlin Road on Sunday December 7th.

The Silent Night Carol Service will represent the first community-wide event of its kind, and it is being organised as part of a UK initiative by national Christian charity HOPE in which churches and football clubs are coming together to mark the 1914 temporary ceasing of hostilities.

Paul Rogers, who is a member of Rugby joint-churches network Revive - explained: “It’s 100 years since the troops on the front-line in World War One laid down their arms to sing carols and play football together.

“All across the country there will be a number of services to mark this, and we’re hoping to put together a memorable event which would see the local community, authorities, churches and sporting clubs come together to celebrate Christmas and the peace we enjoy today, as well as remembering those who have fallen in conflicts since 1914.”

The free event will kick-off with a youth football tournament on the Butlin Road astroturf facility, followed by community carol singing at 4 pm in front of the stadium’s main stand - led by the Jaguar Land Rover Band.